procession

[pruh-sesh-uhn]

noun

1. the act of moving along or proceeding proceeding in orderly succession or in a formal and ceremonious manner, as a line of people, animals, vehicles, etc.

2. the line or body of persons or things moving along in such a manner.

3. Ecclesiastical.,  an office, litany, etc., said or sung in a religious procession.

4. Theology.,  the emanation of the Holy Spirit from the Father and later, in the Western Church, from the Son: distinguished from the “generation” of the Son and the “unbegottenness” of the Father.

5. the act of coming forth from a source.

verb (used without object)

1. to go in procession.

procession

/ prəˈsɛʃən /

noun

1. the act of proceeding in a regular formation

2. a group of people or things moving forwards in an orderly, regular, or ceremonial manner

3. a hymn, litany, etc, sung in a procession

4. Christianity the emanation of the Holy Spirit

verb

1. rare,  (intr) to go in procession

Word History and Origins

Origin of procession¹

before 1150; early Middle English (< Old French ) < Late Latin prōcessiōn- (stem of prōcessiō ) a religious procession, literally, a marching on. See process, -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of procession¹

C12: via Old French from Latin prōcessiō a marching forwards

Example Sentences

It’s a procession of people with nothing in common save the desire to climb the steps and enter this edifice: a public library in the middle of Ohio.

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Bangladeshi newspapers, quoting a senior party leader in hiding, reported at least 20 flash processions in the past month.

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The service at Manchester Cathedral followed a colourful procession around the city, as thousands looked on and paid their respects.

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The procession then travelled to the Harehill Tavern before doves were released in the boxer's honour at The New Inn.

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Following a private memorial service at midday, the procession was due to head to the Etihad Stadium, the home of Hatton's beloved Manchester City.

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Related Words

• cortege 
• motorcade 
• succession 

When To Use

What does procession mean?

A procession is a line of people or vehicles moving along in an orderly and often ceremonial way.A very common example is a funeral procession, which is the line of cars or people traveling together to a burial. A parade is another kind of procession.Procession is the noun form of the verb process, meaning to proceed in or as if in a procession.Example: The procession was so long that they had to block traffic so it could stay together.