procession

noun

prə-ˈse-shən How to pronounce procession (audio)
Definition of processionnext
1
as in parade
a body of individuals moving along in an orderly and often ceremonial way a procession of mourners leaving the cemetery

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in process
forward movement in time or place watched the constant procession of cars headed out of the city at the start of the weekend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of procession It has been revisited by a procession of the Celtic faithful again this week, eager to pay tribute to the 11 men from Glasgow who became the illustrious ‘Lisbon Lions’. — Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026 The military escort played lively music as the procession made its way to the scaffold. — Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026 Related Articles The Parthenon Marbles, made between 447 and 432 BCE by the Greek sculptor Phidias, depict gods and processions in marble relief panels, sculptures, and friezes. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 Each afternoon, the staff pays homage to the hotel’s past with a military procession and cannon firing. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for procession
Recent Examples of Synonyms for procession
  1. parade
  2. process
  3. progression
  4. progress
  5. advance
  6. advancement
  7. march
Noun
  • But only one got a victory parade on Wednesday — and a quintessentially Bay Area one at that.
    — Lauren Segal, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Anyone who fought the traffic the day of the No Kings rally and the Pulse parade knows that traffic is already in gridlock around the center.
    — Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of parade
Noun
  • CardsHQ's Wilson said some variation between assessments is an inherent challenge in a process that involves human judgment.
    — Matthew Tan, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Some faculty members have criticized Kotlikoff for not acting more forcefully to strengthen the school’s disciplinary process, push for criminal investigations and change campus party culture.
    — Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of process
Noun
  • Since 2021, the Food and Drug Administration has approved three antibody treatments meant to slow the disease’s progression.
    — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Education is one of the most effective ways to help slow the progression of kidney disease.
    — Fresenius Kidney Care, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of progression
Noun
  • Bass attempted to reverse her fortunes by touting her administration’s progress in reducing violent crime, fast-tracking affordable housing and bringing down unsheltered homelessness — the number of people living outside and in their cars — by 11%.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Only progress to the next level of difficulty when the last reps in your set feel manageable or even relatively easy.
    — Jenessa Connor, HEALTH, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of progress
Noun
  • The order blocks the government from removing additional trees and compels advance notice before the government irreversibly alters more of the course.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Financial and coding advances Financial research represents another major application for Hy4.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of advance
Noun
  • Announced in September, Daimler Truck's newest safety advancements include Active Cross Traffic Assist, Active Sideguard Assist 3, and improvements to its Active Drive Assist system.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The successful demonstration represents more than an advancement in drone technology.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of advancement
Noun
  • Police in Cologne said water cannons were used after some protesters set off fireworks during a march in the city center.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Such outstanding form at the start of the season have only seemed to confirmed his march toward the Ballon d'Or.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of march

Browse Nearby Words

processing
procession
processional
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Procession.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/procession. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on procession

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about procession

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of abandon

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All