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

The 23-year-old activist was scrolling through his social media feed in May, when he read complaints about how the high-profile marriage ceremony sparked huge traffic jams in the city of Bhaktapur.

From BBC

The winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on 10 November.

From BBC

“It is a pride among us women to make sure we don’t make nupa that tastes bitter, or has ash in it,” said Williams, who prepares the soup during ceremonies multiple times a year.

From Los Angeles Times

Couples getting married in Jersey are looking for better value for money as costs rise and the number of ceremonies falls, according to island wedding planners.

From BBC

The exact criteria for the award is not known, meaning the winner was uncertain before the ceremony even though it is factually based.

From BBC

Related Words

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