ceremonial

[ ser-uh-moh-nee-uhl ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by ceremony; formal; ritual:

   a ceremonial occasion.

   Synonyms: ceremonious, conventional, solemn

   Antonyms: informal

2. used in or in connection with ceremonies:

   ceremonial robes.

noun

1. a system of ceremonies, rites, or formalities prescribed for or observed on any particular occasion; a rite.

   Synonyms: liturgy, ritual

2. Roman Catholic Church.
   1. the order for rites and ceremonies.
   2. a book containing it.
3. formal behavior found at, or appropriate to, a certain occasion:

   the ceremonial of a state banquet.

ceremonial

/ ˌsɛrɪˈməʊnɪəl /

adjective

1. involving or relating to ceremony or ritual

noun

1. the observance of formality, esp in etiquette
2. a plan for formal observances on a particular occasion; ritual
3. Christianity
   1. the prescribed order of rites and ceremonies
   2. a book containing this

Derived Forms

• ˌcereˈmonialist, noun
• ˌcereˈmonially, adverb
• ˌcereˈmonialism, noun

Other Words From

• cere·moni·al·ism noun
• cere·moni·al·ist noun
• cere·moni·al·ly adverb
• anti·cere·moni·al adjective
• anti·cere·moni·al·ly adverb
• anti·cere·moni·al·ism noun
• anti·cere·moni·al·ist noun adjective
• noncer·e·moni·al adjective
• noncer·e·moni·al·ly adverb
• precer·e·moni·al adjective
• uncer·e·moni·al adjective
• uncer·e·moni·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of ceremonial¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin cēremōniālis, Late Latin caerimōniālis. See ceremony, -al ¹

Example Sentences

They also come in three sizes and are more of a plug-and-play alternative to the more ceremonial and classic fountain pen.

From Popular-Science

Maybe the chains will rename the same items after new celebrities and influencers, turning Shawn Mendes’s bowl into a sort of ceremonial designation occupied in two-year terms.

From Vox

An additional 2,000 active-duty service members are involved in the inauguration in ceremonial roles, said Army Maj.

From Washington Post

As the sun’s glare reflected off the fresh blanket of snow, it proved too bright for Robert Frost to read a ceremonial poem.

From Washington Post

In Charlottesville, we have a confusing “city manager” form of government, where the mayor is primarily ceremonial, with no role in policing, and overlapping jurisdictions with Albemarle County and the University of Virginia.

From Time

In contrast, Boehner's leadership team filed into his ceremonial office and greeted the teary newly-elected Speaker with hugs.

From The Daily Beast

“Stay in formation,” a sergeant from the ceremonial unit said over a public address system to the cops along the street.

From The Daily Beast

After all, it has been protecting popes for more than 500 years, and is often inaccurately portrayed as largely ceremonial.

From The Daily Beast

In the absence of ceremonial formalities, Francis favored a business-like manner.

From The Daily Beast

They practiced ceremonial cannibalism, believing the hearts of their victims would imbue them with power.

From The Daily Beast

M'Bongo, the great chief of this neighbourhood, paid a ceremonial visit to my husband.

From Project Gutenberg

This impulse to extend rule appears more plainly in many of the little ceremonial observances of the child.

From Project Gutenberg

Nor was it merely the words of ceremonial which were of vital importance: other details must be attended to with equal exactness.

From Project Gutenberg

But the state of perfectibility could be reached only by religious ceremonial observances and devout contemplation.

From Project Gutenberg

The only form of marriage known to them was the stately religious ceremonial called, as will be explained hereafter, cnfarreti.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• liturgical
• solemn
• stately