ceremony

American  

[ser-uh-moh-nee] / ˈsɛr əˌmoʊ ni /

noun

ceremonies plural

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.

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idioms

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

ceremony British  

/ 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

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ceremony More Idioms  

1. see stand on (ceremony).

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Synonym Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

• preceremony
  noun

Etymology

Origin of ceremony

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

Explanation

A ceremony is a formal event held on special occasions such as weddings and graduations. Even if an occasion isn’t traditionally honored with a ceremony, you can hold one anyway; we know your cat’s third birthday is important. Ceremony can also refer to proper, formal behavior; someone who insists on behaving properly can be said to “stand on ceremony.” If you insist on standing up and shaking hands every time you’re introduced to someone, you're a person who stands on ceremony. If you prefer to sit back and offer a casual “Hey,” you're a person who acts “without ceremony.”

Example Sentences

My ceremony was in Pomona fairgrounds in 2008.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

The accolade was a surprise for the Culture Club singer, who was presented with the honour by French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier at a ceremony in central London.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

They also reveal how this ceremony has brought out a dangerous rivalry between them that threatens their intimacy.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

He smiled and waved as the ceremony progressed.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

Now that she was twelve, she’d be placed in her coven, but like every ceremony before, tonight three witches would be left over: Spares.

From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega

Related Words

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