processional

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

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

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Examples of processional in a Sentence

He led a slow processional into the church.

Recent Examples of processional from the Web

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
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 pro·ces·sion·al

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

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