ceremony

[ser-uh-moh-nee]

noun

plural

ceremonies 

1. the formal activities conducted on some solemn or important public or state occasion.

   the coronation ceremony.

2. a formal religious or sacred observance; a solemn rite.

   a marriage ceremony.

3. formal observances or gestures collectively; ceremonial observances.

   The breathless messenger had no time for ceremony.

4. any formal act or observance, especially a meaningless one.

   His low bow was mere ceremony.

5. a gesture or act of politeness or civility.

   the ceremony of a handshake.

6. strict adherence to conventional forms; formality.

   to leave a room without ceremony.

ceremony

/ ˈsɛrɪmənɪ /

noun

1. a formal act or ritual, often set by custom or tradition, performed in observation of an event or anniversary

   a ceremony commemorating Shakespeare's birth

2. a religious rite or series of rites

3. a courteous gesture or act

   the ceremony of toasting the Queen

4. ceremonial observances or gestures collectively

   the ceremony of a monarchy

5. to insist on or act with excessive formality

6. in a casual or informal manner

Other Word Forms

• preceremony noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ceremony¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English ceremonie, from Medieval Latin cēremōnia, from Latin caerimōnia “sacred rite”; replacing Middle English cerymonye, from Middle French cerimonie, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of ceremony¹

C14: from Medieval Latin cēremōnia, from Latin caerimōnia what is sacred, a religious rite

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. stand on ceremony, to behave in a formal or ceremonious manner.

see stand on (ceremony).

Synonym Study

Ceremony, rite, ritual refer to set observances and acts traditional in religious services or on public occasions. Ceremony applies to more or less formal dignified acts on religious or public occasions: a marriage ceremony; an inaugural ceremony. A rite is an established, prescribed, or customary form of religious or other solemn practice: the rite of baptism. Ritual refers to the form of conducting worship or to a code of ceremonies in general: Masonic rituals.

Example Sentences

"We have always maintained a strong foothold in the hotel industry," Guide boss Gwendal Poullennec told an awards ceremony attended by hoteliers from across the world in Paris on Wednesday night.

Read more on Barron's

Along with the King, they performed a fire ceremony at the start of the day, paying their respects to nature.

Read more on BBC

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced its billing for its 2025 induction ceremony.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When pressed Tuesday on why he needed to wait for the full House’s return to hold the ceremony, the speaker told CNN that “we’ll schedule it, I guess, as soon as she wants.”

Read more on Salon

The gigs also came as Lauper is preparing to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in a ceremony set for next month.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• commemoration 
• function 
• observance 
• parade 
• rite 
• service 
• show