master of ceremonies

American  

noun

1. a person who directs the entertainment at a party, dinner, nightclub, radio or television broadcast, or the like, acting as host and introducing the speakers or performers. M.C., MC

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master of ceremonies British  

noun

1.  MC.  a person who presides over a public ceremony, formal dinner, or entertainment, introducing the events, performers, etc

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Etymology

Origin of master of ceremonies

First recorded in 1655–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

master of ceremonies

She’s not a diva belting out choruses and taking up space—instead, she sometimes seems like a master of ceremonies, someone hosting the party rather than hogging the spotlight.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026

According to The Times’ archives, he joined golf’s Celebrity Tour and was its permanent master of ceremonies.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026

Jem Wakeman, the master of ceremonies, said it was the "hottest" event he had ever done.

From BBC ● May 25, 2026

Pap, as he liked to be called, presided as master of ceremonies.

From Slate ● Jan. 13, 2026

They asked me to be master of ceremonies.

From "The View From Saturday" by E.L. Konigsburg

Related Words

• emcee
• moderator
• ringmaster