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

Following a private event for families of the deceased and invited guests — which will be streamed — is a flag dedication, a procession, a ringing of the bells and a community lunch at the American Legion post. —Paris Barraza, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026

After a procession of midseason cliffhangers, shows like ABC's High Potential, NBC's Chicago Fire, and Fox's Doc are back this week to tie up loose ends. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Jan. 2026

As Sunday's sombre procession reached its conclusion, applause began rippling from one end to the other as dozens of police and emergency services workers, some of them in tears, came up through the middle to be celebrated as heroes. —Reuters, NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026

Captain and top-line center Aleksander Barkov and star winger Matthew Tkachuk led the procession. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 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