ceremonial
Americanadjective
-
of, relating to, or characterized by ceremony; formal; ritual.
a ceremonial occasion.
- Synonyms:
- ceremonious, conventional, solemn
- Antonyms:
- informal
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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.
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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
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the prescribed order of rites and ceremonies
-
a book containing this
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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.
The third invitation she accepted was also sports-related: throwing out the ceremonial pitch at a Red Sox game—despite the fact that she grew up rooting for the Yankees.
Two hereditary peers who are set to be removed from the House of Lords will be allowed to keep their parliamentary passes and ceremonial positions.
From BBC
The ceremonial state opening of Parliament to mark the start of the new session takes place just days after elections in England, Scotland and Wales on 7 May.
From BBC
Earlier in the day, they had a carriage ride and inspected a ceremonial guard of honour.
From Barron's
Team Italy, for example, celebrated home runs by donning an Armani jacket in the dugout and taking a ceremonial shot of espresso.
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.