ceremony

American  

[ser-uh-moh-nee] / ˈsɛr əˌmoʊ ni /

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.

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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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Related Words

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

Example Sentences

The inductees will be announced Thursday night at the NFL Honors ceremony in San Francisco.

From Los Angeles Times

Even “Four Weddings,” in which brides rated one another’s ceremonies on food, dresses and décor, now feels like a kind of collective fever dream.

From Salon

Speaking on stage at the 68th Grammys ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday, Twigs said she did not expect to win and "was just so happy to be nominated".

From BBC

Mahan, representing San Jose, flew to New Orleans to accept the football in the handoff ceremony from last year’s game.

From The Wall Street Journal

The anchor had been due to co-host the Winter Olympics opening ceremony for NBC on Friday, but it is unclear if she will take part in that coverage.

From BBC

Related Words

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