ceremonial

[ser-uh-moh-nee-uhl]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by ceremony; formal; ritual.

   a ceremonial occasion.

   Synonyms: ceremonious, conventional, solemn
   Antonyms: informal

2. used in or in connection with ceremonies.

   ceremonial robes.

noun

1. a system of ceremonies, rites, or formalities prescribed for or observed on any particular occasion; a rite.

   Synonyms: liturgy, ritual

2. Roman Catholic Church.

   1. the order for rites and ceremonies.

   2. a book containing it.

3. formal behavior found at, or appropriate to, a certain occasion.

   the ceremonial of a state banquet.

ceremonial

/ ˌsɛrɪˈməʊnɪəl /

adjective

1. involving or relating to ceremony or ritual

noun

1. the observance of formality, esp in etiquette

2. a plan for formal observances on a particular occasion; ritual

3. Christianity

   1. the prescribed order of rites and ceremonies

   2. a book containing this

Other Word Forms

• ceremonialism noun
• ceremonialist noun
• ceremonially adverb
• anticeremonial adjective
• anticeremonially adverb
• anticeremonialism noun
• anticeremonialist noun
• nonceremonial adjective
• nonceremonially adverb
• preceremonial adjective
• unceremonial adjective
• unceremonially adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of ceremonial¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin cēremōniālis, Late Latin caerimōniālis. See ceremony, -al ¹

Example Sentences

Calling himself Kanu, he wore a ceremonial red mask covering his whole face to conceal his identity and boasted of his political connections.

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The ceremonial handover of the presidency which was meant to happen at the end of the summit on Sunday did not take place.

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Here’s hoping Carlitos is warming up his arm for a forthcoming ceremonial first pitch at Chavez Ravine.

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There will be a ceremonial weigh-in, which will be open to the public, at York Hall in Bethnal Green on Friday evening.

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By convention in post-invasion Iraq, a Shiite Arab holds the powerful post of prime minister and a Sunni Arab that of parliament speaker, while the largely ceremonial presidency goes to a Kurd.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• liturgical 
• solemn 
• stately