Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

coronation

American  
[kawr-uh-ney-shuhn, kor-] / ˌkɔr əˈneɪ ʃən, ˌkɒr- /

noun

  1. the act or ceremony of crowning a king, queen, or other sovereign.


coronation British  
/ ˌkɒrəˈneɪʃən /

noun

  1. the act or ceremony of crowning a monarch

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of coronation

1350–1400; Middle English coronacio ( u ) n < Anglo-French coronation < Latin coronāt ( us ) crowned ( see coronate) + Middle French -ion- -ion

Explanation

A coronation is the ceremony when a new King (or Queen, let's not be sexist) is officially installed. A coronation is usually quite glitzy and full of pomp. A coronation is the public handing over of title and powers to a new monarch. Other almost identical terms are enthronement and investiture. The term coronation is also sometimes used in a light-hearted, though sometimes sarcastic way, to describe the ascension of famous non-royal people who have achieved a particular level of public status — such as pop stars, politicians or celebrities. Coronation is derived from the Latin word corona, meaning "crown."

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing coronation

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Former Coronation Street star Beverley Callard was forced to withdraw after passing out in the show's Bush Telegraph.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

Charles has been a long-standing supporter of reducing food waste, and the Coronation Food Project which was established in 2023, redistributes surplus food to people in need in Merseyside, Birmingham, and London.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

The actress, best known for playing Liz McDonald in Coronation Street, revealed in February that she has breast cancer.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Callard, best known for her role as Liz McDonald on Coronation Street, will play a new character called Lily.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

In the light of this, The Coronation of Poppea can be seen as a damning, deliberately shocking critique on corruption and the excesses of Roman power, and the pressing need for self-restraint.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall