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

Other Word Forms

• ceremonialism noun
• ceremonialist noun
• ceremonially adverb
• anticeremonial adjective
• anticeremonially adverb
• anticeremonialism noun
• anticeremonialist noun
• nonceremonial adjective
• nonceremonially adverb
• preceremonial adjective
• unceremonial adjective
• unceremonially adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of ceremonial¹

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

Example Sentences

Mullally is both principal bishop of the Church of England and also the ceremonial head of the worldwide Anglican communion.

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The Dodgers invited Steve Garvey to throw out the ceremonial first pitch Wednesday, and after that to deliver the ritual words that precede every home game.

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“We will swear her in when everybody gets back. It’s a ceremonial duty,” Johnson said.

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Mariachi Joe Kelly was on the mound delighting the roaring crowd with a ceremonial first pitch that appropriately bounced.

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There the tribe has built a senior center and a shaded arbor for its ceremonial gatherings, including the making of “nupa,” the Miwok word for acorn soup.

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Related Words

• liturgical 
• solemn 
• stately