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

Then, inevitably, comes the hoick to leg to end all the fun; Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, takes the catch and the procession has surely resumed. —Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025

At the head of the procession is a man with a white beard, holding a long rod with a sooty rag at the tip. —Veronique Greenwood, Time, 21 Dec. 2025

Heaving on the shore after nearly being taken under the rapacious waves, Byrne is released from a moribund procession of sound and light. —Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025

Several road closures will be in place to accommodate a procession to the church. —Alicia Roberts, CBS News, 16 Dec. 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

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