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

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

Rome — The Church of the Gesù in central Rome was packed, as a procession with a cross in rainbow colors moved up the central aisle. —Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025

The vision of Buckley as its leader that emerges from his narrative is one not of a commanding general but of a baton twirler at the head of a long procession. —Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025

Ahead of his funeral, the rock star was honored with a funeral procession in Birmingham on July 30. —Charna Flam, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025

The two were seen together with Xi during the procession in Tiananmen Square. —David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 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

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

Verb

1691, 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