ceremony
noun
cer·e·mo·ny
ˈser-ə-ˌmō-nē 
ˈse-rə-
plural ceremonies
1
: a formal act or series of acts prescribed by ritual, protocol, or convention
the marriage ceremony
2
a
: a conventional act of politeness or etiquette
the ceremony of introduction
b
: an action performed only formally with no deep significance
The custom had probably been long a mere ceremony …—
C. Thirlwall
C. Thirlwall
c
: a routine action performed with elaborate pomp
… the opening bell [of the New York Stock Exchange] is still an important daily ceremony, attracting corporate chiefs and celebrities.—John Carney
John Carney3
a
: prescribed procedures : usages
the ceremony attending an inauguration
b
: observance of an established code of civility or politeness
opened the door without ceremony and strode in
Examples of ceremony in a Sentence
There will be a ceremony honoring the town's veterans next week.
With great ceremony, the children presented each of the visitors with a gift.
He told them abruptly and without ceremony that they would have to leave.
Recent Examples on the Web
Representatives from more than a dozen countries — not including Canada — appeared at a signing ceremony for the board's charter.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
This year’s ceremony also marks a notable expansion of the Oscar slate with the introduction of best casting, bringing the total number of categories to 24.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 22 Jan. 2026
The 98th Annual Oscars ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 15, at the Dolby Theater at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, with Conan O’Brien returning as host after serving as emcee for the 2025 celebration.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The ceremony will air live on ABC and stream on Hulu.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ceremony
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Joe Walsh, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
This year’s ceremony also marks a notable expansion of the Oscar slate with the introduction of best casting, bringing the total number of categories to 24.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 22 Jan. 2026
The 98th Annual Oscars ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 15, at the Dolby Theater at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, with Conan O’Brien returning as host after serving as emcee for the 2025 celebration.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The ceremony will air live on ABC and stream on Hulu.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ceremony
Cite this Entry
“Ceremony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceremony. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ceremony
noun
cer·e·mo·ny
ˈser-ə-ˌmō-nē
plural ceremonies
1
: a formal act or series of acts performed in some regular way according to fixed rules
graduation ceremonies
2
: very polite behavior : formality
dined without ceremony
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