ceiling

[see-ling]

noun

1. the overhead interior surface of a room.

2. the top limit imposed by law on the amount of money that can be charged or spent or the quantity of goods that can be produced or sold.

3. Aeronautics.

   1. the maximum altitude from which the earth can be seen on a particular day, usually equal to the distance between the earth and the base of the lowest cloud bank.

   2. Also called absolute ceiling. the maximum altitude at which a particular aircraft can operate under specified conditions.

4. Meteorology.,  the height above ground level of the lowest layer of clouds that cover more than half of the sky.

5. a lining applied for structural reasons to a framework, especially in the interior surfaces of a ship or boat.

6. Also called ceiling piece. Theater.,  the ceiling or top of an interior set, made of cloth, a flat, or two or more flats hinged together.

7. the act or work of a person who makes or finishes a ceiling.

8. vaulting, as in a medieval church.

ceiling

/ ˈsiːlɪŋ /

noun

1. the inner upper surface of a room

2. 1. an upper limit, such as one set by regulation on prices or wages

   2. ( as modifier )

      ceiling prices

3. the upper altitude to which an aircraft can climb measured under specified conditions See also service ceiling absolute ceiling

4. meteorol the highest level in the atmosphere from which the earth's surface is visible at a particular time, usually the base of a cloud layer

5. a wooden or metal surface fixed to the interior frames of a vessel for rigidity

Other Word Forms

• ceilinged adjective
• subceiling noun
• unceilinged adjective
• underceiling noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ceiling¹

1350–1400, ceiling for def. 7; Middle English; ceil, -ing ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of ceiling¹

C14: of uncertain origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. hit the ceiling, to become enraged.

   When he saw the amount of the bill, he hit the ceiling.

see glass ceiling; hit the ceiling.

Example Sentences

“It’s polished concrete floor, it’s exposed ceilings, it’s proper lighting. Nice checkout counters,” said Gabriel Navarro, managing director for MMG Equity Partners, which has three Goodwill stores in its South Florida shopping-center portfolio.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

For example, Art Deco furniture was often bulky, its light fittings were meant for high ceilings, and its dressing tables too elaborate for today's compact apartments.

Read more on BBC

Infrastructure woes had plagued the summit from the start -- leaking ceilings, broken air conditioners, toilets running out of water and more.

Read more on Barron's

The gold-painted dome ceiling has a florid original mural of angels that Trinity Broadcasting founder Paul Crouch called “Orange County’s own Sistine Chapel.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Inside, investigators discovered a fan belt hanging from the ceiling.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• beam 
• plaster 
• roof