processional

play

noun pro·ces·sion·al \ prə-ˈsesh-nəl , -ˈse-shə-nᵊl \

Definition of processional

1 :a book containing material for a procession

2 :a musical composition (such as a hymn) designed for a procession

3 :a ceremonial procession

See processional defined for English-language learners

See processional defined for kids

Examples of processional in a Sentence

He led a slow processional into the church.

Recent Examples of processional from the Web

Most medical processionals are wary of the increase in the demand for plastic surgery among teenagers, including an alarming rise in those who are dissatsified with the appearance of their genitalia.

— belinda luscombe, PEOPLE.com, "Most Instagram Ads for Plastic Surgery Aren’t From Doctors," 30 Aug. 2017
Then, in 2009, my daughter graduated from John’s alma mater, Brown University, where the alumni participate in the processional.

— maggie kneip, New York Times, "Losing a Father and Husband to AIDS, and Finding Him Again," 13 June 2017
Step-off for the solemn processional begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by a ceremony at Mentor Cemetery, 6881 Hopkins Road.

— plain dealer staff, cleveland.com, "Memorial Day 2017: List of parades and ceremonies in Northeast Ohio," 25 May 2017
In a debutante processional, the young woman will walk out on her father’s arm, followed by one or two younger escorts.

— maggie burch, Southern Living, "8 Things Only Southern Debutantes Understand," 1 May 2017
The testimonies became a surreal processional, in which Roof became privy to the personal achievements and intimate family moments of the deceased.

— jelani cobb, The New Yorker, "Inside the Trial of Dylann Roof," 6 Feb. 2017
The group sang at the city’s first tree lighting ceremony, an event Short helped envision with a bit of inspiration from Disneyland’s candlelight processional.

— jonathan winslow, Orange County Register, "Michael Short of Orange has led so many voices in song," 18 Jan. 2017
BIRMINGHAM, England — At the end of each season’s final home game, the tradition goes, the players and staff at Aston Villa walk around the entire field in a slow processional.

— sam borden, New York Times, "In England, the Premier League Is Turned Upside Down," 7 May 2016
In the Philippines, some cities host live crucifixions that draw thousands of onlookers to marvel at volunteers, a few of which are flogged during painful processionals and then actually nailed to a cross.

— National Geographic, "Easter Traditions: Bunnies, Eggs, Whippings, and Crucifixion," 25 Mar. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'processional.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of processional

15th century

processional

adjective

Definition of processional

:of, relating to, or moving in a procession

—

processionally

adverb

See processional defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of processional from the Web

Families such as the as the Saylers, Drurys and Warders donated money for brass altar candlesticks, a processional cross and a silver chalice.

— Cincinnati.com, "Column: History of Church of the Resurrection in Fernbank," 2 Aug. 2017
Froome’s likely winning margin in this Tour, 54 seconds over Rigoberto Uran of Colombia going into Sunday’s mostly processional final stage that ends in Paris, is narrower than Froome’s victories in 2013, 2015 and 2016.

— seattle times staff, The Seattle Times, "Chris Froome virtually wraps up his 4th Tour de France victory," 22 July 2017
His winning margin in this Tour, 54 seconds over Rigoberto Uran of Colombia going into Sunday's processional final stage, is narrower than Froome's previous wins in 2013, 2015, and 2016.

— john leicester and samuel petrequin, chicagotribune.com, "Chris Froome eyes Tour de France greatness after sealing win No. 4," 22 July 2017
His winning margin in this Tour, 54 seconds over Rigoberto Uran of Colombia going into Sunday's processional final stage, is narrower than Froome's previous wins in 2013, 2015, and 2016.

— john leicester, courant.com, "Froome eyes Tour de France greatness after sealing win No. 4," 22 July 2017
There's also a processional cross above the shield.

— karen farkas, cleveland.com, "Bishop Nelson J. Perez's shield includes personal and professional touches," 11 July 2017
Garland holders lined the processional path, and included Nicci Arentsen, Lena Bader, Diana Gonzalez, Alexis Lopez, Jacqueline Martinez, Regina Sanchez and Jacqueline Zamora.

— andrea mills, Orange County Register, "In Our Schools: French wedding practices lessons from language class," 15 Feb. 2017
After processional music by a military band, and a thudding interlude by DJ Ravidrums, an energetic drummer with a mohawk, the actor Jon Voight, appearing as if from an alternative universe, offered opening remarks.

— ian crouch, The New Yorker, "The Bizarre Perfection of Trump’s Inaugural Concert," 20 Jan. 2017
Like Sunn O))), at the 1,600-seat Tennessee Theater, which put on a two-hour set of slow-motion processional drones and distorted guitar feedback, loud enough to make the building’s plumbing and masonry rumble.

— ben ratliff, New York Times, "Big Ears, a Music Festival With a Rare Vision," 3 Apr. 2016