procession

1 of 2

noun

pro·​ces·​sion prə-ˈse-shən 

1

a

: a group of individuals moving along in an orderly often ceremonial way

b

: succession, sequence

2

a

: continuous forward movement : progression

b

: emanation

the Holy Spirit's procession from the Father

procession

2 of 2

verb

processioned; processioning; processions

intransitive verb

archaic

: to go in procession

Synonyms

Noun

• parade

Examples of procession in a Sentence

Noun

There was a procession of children carrying candles.

The cars moved in procession to the cemetery.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

See the fans and family’s reaction to the funeral procession. —Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 31 July 2025

Thousands of fans of Black Sabbath crowded the streets to honor the Prince of Darkness one last time during a funeral procession in Ozzy Osbourne's hometown of Birmingham, England on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. —Joanna Moriello, New York Daily News, 30 July 2025

Following the procession, the wait time to sign the book, which will be gifted to Osbourne’s family, was over an hour. —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2025

Fans traveled from as far as the United States, Mexico and Poland to pay tribute to him at the funeral procession attended by friends and family. —News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English processioun, from Anglo-French processiun, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin procession-, processio religious procession, from Latin, act of proceeding, from procedere

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1691, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for procession

• accession
• aggression
• compression
• concession
• confession
• depression
• digression
• discretion
• expression
• impression
• obsession
• oppression

Kids Definition

procession

noun

pro·​ces·​sion

prə-ˈsesh-ən

1

: continuous forward movement : progression

2

: a group of individuals moving along in an orderly often ceremonial way

a funeral procession