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processional

American  
[pruh-sesh-uh-nl] / prəˈsɛʃ ə nl /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a procession.

  2. of the nature of a procession; moving in an orderly or regular succession, sequence, or the like.

  3. of a style, design, etc., customarily used in processions.

    processional regalia.

  4. sung or played during a procession, as a hymn, march, etc.


noun

  1. a piece of music, as a hymn or slow march, suitable for accompanying a procession.

  2. a book containing hymns, litanies, etc., for use in religious processions.

processional British  
/ prəˈsɛʃənəl /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or suitable for a procession

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. Christianity

    1. a book containing the prayers, hymns, litanies, and liturgy prescribed for processions

    2. a hymn, litany, etc, used in a procession

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of processional

1400–50; (noun) late Middle English: service book < Medieval Latin prōcessiōnāle, noun use of neuter of prōcessiōnālis in a procession; (adj.) < Medieval Latin prōcessiōnālis; see procession, -al 2, -al 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

One of the main goals of the regulations was to increase the frequency of passing during races in a sport that has often been too processional.

From The Wall Street Journal May 1, 2026

Yates celebrated with his Visma-Lease a Bike team-mates in a processional ride around the Italian capital following a meeting with Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican.

From BBC Jun. 1, 2025

Lavanya Sharma, 21, who was selected to be a flag bearer, was among those in the processional that kicked off the Coliseum celebration.

From Los Angeles Times May 16, 2025

Recycled robes, processional marches, silver pens from Tiffany: It is graduation season in America.

From New York Times May 23, 2024

Finally, the processional march is recalled, this time disjointed, exhausted and spent: the tune announced so confidently at the beginning now unexpectedly disintegrates.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

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