ceremony

[ser-uh-moh-nee]

noun

plural

ceremonies 

1. the formal activities conducted on some solemn or important public or state occasion.

   the coronation ceremony.

2. a formal religious or sacred observance; a solemn rite.

   a marriage ceremony.

3. formal observances or gestures collectively; ceremonial observances.

   The breathless messenger had no time for ceremony.

4. any formal act or observance, especially a meaningless one.

   His low bow was mere ceremony.

5. a gesture or act of politeness or civility.

   the ceremony of a handshake.

6. strict adherence to conventional forms; formality.

   to leave a room without ceremony.

ceremony

/ ˈsɛrɪmənɪ /

noun

1. a formal act or ritual, often set by custom or tradition, performed in observation of an event or anniversary

   a ceremony commemorating Shakespeare's birth

2. a religious rite or series of rites

3. a courteous gesture or act

   the ceremony of toasting the Queen

4. ceremonial observances or gestures collectively

   the ceremony of a monarchy

5. to insist on or act with excessive formality

6. in a casual or informal manner

Other Word Forms

• preceremony noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ceremony¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English ceremonie, from Medieval Latin cēremōnia, from Latin caerimōnia “sacred rite”; replacing Middle English cerymonye, from Middle French cerimonie, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of ceremony¹

C14: from Medieval Latin cēremōnia, from Latin caerimōnia what is sacred, a religious rite

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. stand on ceremony, to behave in a formal or ceremonious manner.

see stand on (ceremony).

Synonym Study

Ceremony, rite, ritual refer to set observances and acts traditional in religious services or on public occasions. Ceremony applies to more or less formal dignified acts on religious or public occasions: a marriage ceremony; an inaugural ceremony. A rite is an established, prescribed, or customary form of religious or other solemn practice: the rite of baptism. Ritual refers to the form of conducting worship or to a code of ceremonies in general: Masonic rituals.

Example Sentences

Yavhusishyn received his promotion at a special ceremony in western Fukuoka, where he bowed to sumo elders in front of gold folding screens and celebratory flowers.

Read more on Barron's

Following an awards ceremony in New York on Monday, writer Daf James said he was "beyond delighted".

Read more on BBC

He said one challenge had been the choice of the amphitheatre in Verona, roughly half way between Milan and Cortina, to host the Olympic closing ceremony and the Paralympic opening ceremony.

Read more on Barron's

The ceremony to light the Olympic flame is usually held at the ruins of the 2,600-year-old Temple of Hera, near the stadium where the Olympics were born in 776 BC.

Read more on Barron's

Speaking at the closing ceremony on Sunday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the agreement showed "shared goals" outweighed the countries' differences.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• commemoration 
• function 
• observance 
• parade 
• rite 
• service 
• show