procession

1 of 2

noun

pro·​ces·​sion prə-ˈse-shən How to pronounce procession (audio)
1
a
: a group of individuals moving along in an orderly often ceremonial way
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The Prince of Wales and Professor Edith Heard were next in the procession, while the Princess of Wales was next in the lineup alongside Christophe Leribault. Stephanie Petit, People.com, 8 July 2025 Davie, who is approaching his fifth anniversary as DG, is said to be severely wounded by the procession of scandals, which, as can be seen by our timeline below, have been constant since October 7, 2023. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 4 July 2025 Following the funeral, the procession will leave Cintas Center onto Webster Avenue. The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 King Charles, while maintaining a private, familial relationship, is in the same camp but does have a special agreement that allows his wayward brother to attend private family luncheons… but no more public processions or official duties. Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for procession

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of procession was in the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Procession.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/procession. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on procession

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