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 of procession

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

Before beginning the procession around the room, the child would intone the essential Jewish prayer, the Shema. —Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026

Lion dancers with the Midwest Chinese American Senior Association led the procession. —Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026

The Queen Mother died in 2002, and Andrew led the procession at her funeral alongside his brother, the now King Charles, and his father, Prince Philip. —Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026

Over a bruising 11-day period, what was beginning to look like a procession towards a first league title in 22 years was now far less certain. —ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026

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

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

Verb

1706, 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