ceiling

American  

[see-ling] / ˈsi lɪŋ /

noun

ceilings plural

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.

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idioms

1. hit the ceiling, to become enraged.

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

ceiling British  

/ 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

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ceiling More Idioms  

1. see glass ceiling; hit the ceiling.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• ceilings
  plural

Etymology

Origin of ceiling

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

Explanation

A ceiling is the upper surface of a room. If you’re lying on the floor, you’re staring up at the ceiling. If you’re lying on the ceiling, you’ll be lying on the floor again soon. You may have heard the sky’s the limit — but in truth, the limit is the ceiling, both physically and metaphorically. The top of a room, but still under the roof, a ceiling is the point at which you can go no farther. You’ll find both helium balloons and hot tempers hitting it. In the workplace, if you aren't getting that promotion and can't understand why, you might have hit a "glass ceiling."

Example Sentences

Surrounded by sons and grandsons under a clattering ceiling fan, Safi showed the tattered identity document he has kept since fleeing the Soviet occupation more than four decades ago.

From Barron's • Jul. 3, 2026

There was no window or outlet for the heat to escape, a small ceiling fan whirred overhead recycling hot air.

From BBC • Jun. 15, 2026

Parkins received some harsh feedback about a dusty ceiling fan in one listing photo.

From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026

We check into the Hotel Londres, Hemingway’s hotel, a corner room with a side view of La Concha and a ceiling fan that stirs the salt in the air.

From Salon • Nov. 8, 2025

Olly flicks on all the lights and the ceiling fan and then does a diving somersault onto the bed.

From "Everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon

Related Words

• beam
• plaster
• roof