solemnity

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noun so·lem·ni·ty \ sə-ˈlem-nə-tē \

Definition of solemnity

plural solemnities

1 :formal or ceremonious observance of an occasion or event

2 :a solemn event or occasion

3 :a solemn condition or quality

the solemnity of his words

See solemnity defined for English-language learners

Examples of solemnity in a Sentence

the solemnity of the occasion
Her voice conveyed the solemnity of the passage.
The visiting statesman was welcomed with appropriate solemnity.
Elaborate solemnities marked the 100th anniversary of the event.

Recent Examples of solemnity from the Web

In a Monday night address at Fort Myer in Virginia, Trump spoke with solemnity about his new strategy for the ongoing war in Afghanistan, including his decision to increase U.S. troop levels there.

— philip rucker, Washington Post, "Trump defends his divergent personas, boasting of his ability to ‘change tones’ in three speeches," 24 Aug. 2017
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government is marking the anniversary of the coup attempt this week with great solemnity.

— jared malsin, Time, "A Bitterly Divided Turkey Marks 1 Year Since a Failed Coup Left Hundreds Dead," 14 July 2017
In his works the doomness and the enthusiasm, the solemnity and the subtle lyricism are wonderfully intertwined.

— leilah bernstein, Los Angeles Magazine, "This Ballet about Tchaikovsky Reveals the Musician’s Talent and Torment," 23 June 2017
His rare absence from the State Opening of Parliament added to the solemnity of an occasion cherished by the British people and replete with tradition.

— danica kirka, chicagotribune.com, "Queen outlines UK government agenda in scaled-down speech," 21 June 2017
Part of that is due to the first anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting, an anniversary marked with special solemnity for survivors in Orlando, the Orlando Sentinel's Christal Hayes and Gal Tziperman Lotan report.

— dan sweeney, Sun-Sentinel.com, "How the Legislature pulled victory from the jaws of defeat," 12 June 2017
The alternative ceremonies at Harvard had printed programs, and incorporated the pageantry, ritual and solemnity of traditional commencements, though without the diplomas, which were reserved for the official university commencement.

— anemona hartocollis, New York Times, "Colleges Celebrate Diversity With Separate Commencements," 2 June 2017
Lamentably, much of the solemnity of the day has given way to binge shopping, barbecues and, to put it bluntly, often intemperate consumption of alcoholic beverages.

— peter g. chronis, The Denver Post, "The long, slow march to what is now Memorial Day weekend," 26 May 2017
Arthur is played by Charlie Hunnam, who's blandly charismatic in an underwritten role, which demands equal parts solemnity and irreverence.

— john serba | jserba@mlive.com, NOLA.com, "Review: 'King Arthur: Legend of the Sword' essentially 'Guy Ritchie's Lord of the Thrones'," 12 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'solemnity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of solemnity

14th century

solemnity Synonyms

SOLEMNITY Defined for English Language Learners

solemnity

play

noun

Definition of solemnity for English Language Learners

: the quality of being formal or serious
solemnities : formal ceremonies

SOLEMNITY Defined for Kids

solemnity

play

noun so·lem·ni·ty \ sə-ˈlem-nə-tē \

Definition of solemnity for Students

plural solemnities

1 :a serious or formal ceremony

The important visitors were welcomed with fitting solemnity.

2 :formal dignity

He spoke with solemnity.

Learn More about solemnity

See words that rhyme with solemnity Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for solemnity Spanish Central: Translation of solemnity Nglish: Translation of solemnity for Spanish speakers

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SOLEMNITY Defined for English Language Learners

solemnity

Definition of solemnity for English Language Learners

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