ceremony

[ ser-uh-moh-nee ]

noun

, plural cer·e·mo·nies.

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. stand on ceremony
   to insist on or act with excessive formality
6. without ceremony
   in a casual or informal manner

Other Words From

• pre·cere·mony noun plural preceremonies

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.

More idioms and phrases containing ceremony

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

The Golden Globe winners will be announced at a ceremony in Los Angeles on 5 January, followed by the Oscars on 2 March.

From BBC

He also praised Cobbles, and said it "amazingly" managed to go ahead with the wedding ceremony on Sunday after finding a generator.

From BBC

One pundit after another argues that Biden should honor norms, stand on ceremony, and throw his son to Trump’s lawless and vindictive FBI to prove a point.

From Salon

The winners of the 27th British Independent Film Awards were announced during a ceremony in London's Roundhouse on Sunday evening.

From BBC

And this August, a Paralympic Games-inspired ceremony drew sharp criticism from hardliners, prompting the SG to review the organisation of such events.

From BBC

Related Words

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