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.

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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

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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

Other Word Forms

• nonprocessional
  adjective
• unprocessional
  adjective
• processionally
  adverb

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

See Examples For:

processional

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

Disneyland, of course, is home to the long-running A Christmas Fantasy Parade, but I’d argue it’s not even the best processional happening this time of year.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 19, 2025

Yes the race can be processional, because overtaking is so difficult.

From BBC ● May 21, 2025

The “SpongeBob SquarePants” stars are not the first animated characters to lead the processional.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 27, 2025

I kept walking my processional walk, thinking of all the kids who had voted for me, not wanting to let them down, although in a way I already had.

From "Farewell to Manzanar" by Jeanne Houston