ceiling

American  

[see-ling] / ˈsi lɪŋ /

noun

• ceilings
  plural

1. the overhead interior surface of a room.

2. the top limit imposed by law on the amount of money that can be charged or spent or the quantity of goods that can be produced or sold.

3. Aeronautics.

   1. the maximum altitude from which the earth can be seen on a particular day, usually equal to the distance between the earth and the base of the lowest cloud bank.

   2. Also called absolute ceiling. the maximum altitude at which a particular aircraft can operate under specified conditions.

4. Meteorology. the height above ground level of the lowest layer of clouds that cover more than half of the sky.

5. a lining applied for structural reasons to a framework, especially in the interior surfaces of a ship or boat.

6. Also called ceiling piece. Theater. the ceiling or top of an interior set, made of cloth, a flat, or two or more flats hinged together.

7. the act or work of a person who makes or finishes a ceiling.

8. vaulting, as in a medieval church.

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idioms

1. hit the ceiling, to become enraged.

   When he saw the amount of the bill, he hit the ceiling.

ceiling British  

/ ˈsiːlɪŋ /

noun

1. the inner upper surface of a room

2. 1. an upper limit, such as one set by regulation on prices or wages

   2. ( as modifier )

      ceiling prices

3. the upper altitude to which an aircraft can climb measured under specified conditions See also service ceiling absolute ceiling

4. meteorol the highest level in the atmosphere from which the earth's surface is visible at a particular time, usually the base of a cloud layer

5. a wooden or metal surface fixed to the interior frames of a vessel for rigidity

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ceiling More Idioms  

1. see glass ceiling; hit the ceiling.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• subceiling
  noun
• underceiling
  noun
• ceilinged
  adjective
• unceilinged
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• ceilings
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of ceiling

1350–1400, ceiling for def. 7; Middle English; see ceil, -ing ¹

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Explanation

A ceiling is the upper surface of a room. If you’re lying on the floor, you’re staring up at the ceiling. If you’re lying on the ceiling, you’ll be lying on the floor again soon. You may have heard the sky’s the limit — but in truth, the limit is the ceiling, both physically and metaphorically. The top of a room, but still under the roof, a ceiling is the point at which you can go no farther. You’ll find both helium balloons and hot tempers hitting it. In the workplace, if you aren't getting that promotion and can't understand why, you might have hit a "glass ceiling."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ceiling ceilings

During the testimony, Brand let out a sigh and looked at the ceiling with his eyes closed.

From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026

Fines would increase tenfold to nearly US$800,000 a day for companies deemed non-compliant, with the ceiling on fines rising to over US$15.6 million.

From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026

Apple’s valuation has bumped up against a ceiling in recent weeks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026

It produced both a baseline floor and a potential upper ceiling for snake envenomings and fatalities.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 30, 2026

I scootch my way around Mav, who’s still lying on his back, front legs pointed to the ceiling.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Inside Ball’s former Charlotte residence, soaring ceilings and expansive windows create an open atmosphere, allowing natural light to flow throughout the home’s generously proportioned living spaces.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026

“Old Church Road,” transparently autobiographical, takes us through adventures and misadventures, from the “postwar baby” in rooms with cracked ceilings to nights staying in a palace.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

In 2024, a humorous video went viral on Tiktok, featuring students and teachers at one high school in Seine-Saint-Denis complaining of rundown facilities, including leaking ceilings and a lack of chairs.

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

The primary suite offers its own private escape, complete with vaulted ceilings, a fireplace, and a remodeled walk-in closet.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 15, 2026

Music was reverberating against the walls and ceilings, the bass pulsing in my eardrums.

From "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" by Tahereh Mafi

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