ceiling

noun

ceil·​ing ˈsē-liŋ 

1

a

: the overhead inside lining of a room

The room has a high ceiling.

b

: material used to ceil a wall or roof of a room

2

: something thought of as an overhanging shelter or a lofty canopy

a ceiling of stars

3

a

: the height above the ground from which prominent objects on the ground can be seen and identified

b

: the height above the ground of the base of the lowest layer of clouds when over half of the sky is obscured

4

a

: absolute ceiling

b

: service ceiling

5

: an upper usually prescribed limit

a ceiling on prices, rents, and wages

ceilinged

ˈsē-liŋd 

adjective

Synonyms of ceiling

• limit
• limitation
• confines
• boundary
• end

Examples of ceiling in a Sentence

The house has low ceilings.

The airplane has a ceiling of 32,000 feet.

Recent Examples on the Web

The interiors are just as blissful, with terra-cotta walls and smooth, wooden floor-to-ceiling wardrobes adding warmth to pale stone floors and marble bathrooms. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026

As an example of the ceiling and command issues at odds with each other so far, Schoolcraft struck out a career-high nine batters in 3⅔ innings in a loss on May 29 and walked as many as six in four innings of a no-decision on July 31. — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026

The walls, doors, moldings, and ceilings are now bathed in three different warm hues that envelop the spaces seamlessly, creating a chromatic narrative more akin to a painting than a sleek, big-city apartment. — Valentina Lonati, Architectural Digest, 22 Aug. 2026

The ceiling was made using an original 1920s mold after the family saw a similar design in an architectural magazine. — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English celing, from celen

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing ceiling

• absolute ceiling
• cathedral ceiling
• glass ceiling
• go through the ceiling
• hit the ceiling
• service ceiling
• sub-ceiling

Rhymes for ceiling

• dealing
• feeling
• healing
• heeling
• keeling
• kneeling
• pealing
• peeling
• reeling
• sealing
• squealing
• stealing

Kids Definition

ceiling

noun

ceil·​ing ˈsē-liŋ 

1

: the overhead inside lining of a room

2

: something that hangs over or is above

3

: the height above the ground of the base of the lowest layer of clouds when over half of the sky is hidden by clouds

4

: the greatest height at which an airplane can operate efficiently

5

: an upper usually prescribed limit

a ceiling on prices