ceremonial
Americanadjective
-
of, relating to, or characterized by ceremony; formal; ritual.
a ceremonial occasion.
- Synonyms:
- ceremonious, conventional, solemn
- Antonyms:
- informal
-
used in or in connection with ceremonies.
ceremonial robes.
noun
-
a system of ceremonies, rites, or formalities prescribed for or observed on any particular occasion; a rite.
-
Roman Catholic Church.
-
the order for rites and ceremonies.
-
a book containing it.
-
-
formal behavior found at, or appropriate to, a certain occasion.
the ceremonial of a state banquet.
adjective
noun
-
the observance of formality, esp in etiquette
-
a plan for formal observances on a particular occasion; ritual
-
Christianity
-
the prescribed order of rites and ceremonies
-
a book containing this
-
Other Word Forms
- anticeremonial adjective
- anticeremonialism noun
- anticeremonialist noun
- anticeremonially adverb
- ceremonialism noun
- ceremonialist noun
- ceremonially adverb
- nonceremonial adjective
- nonceremonially adverb
- preceremonial adjective
- unceremonial adjective
- unceremonially adverb
Etymology
Origin of ceremonial
1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin cēremōniālis, Late Latin caerimōniālis. See ceremony, -al 1
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.
Event organisers, along with hundreds of Olympians and Paralympians, gathered at the LA Memorial Coliseum on Tuesday for a ceremonial lighting of the Olympic venue's cauldron ahead of the opening of ticket registration.
From BBC
Responsibilities of the top job include chairing debates between peers, performing ceremonial roles at events such as the State Opening of Parliament, and having the final say in summoning ministers to answer urgent questions.
From BBC
The ceremonial, pre-revolution flag has become an emblem of the global rallies that have mushroomed in support of Iran's demonstrators.
From Barron's
Inside, officers uncovered a pristine military uniform, medals and a ceremonial sword - a weapon that had first sparked suspicions.
From BBC
The ceremonial setting reflected his focus on transit and the diverse communities that make up the city.
From Salon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
