ceremony

noun

cer·​e·​mo·​ny ˈser-ə-ˌmō-nē 

ˈse-rə-

plural ceremonies

1

: a formal act or series of acts prescribed by ritual, protocol, or convention

the marriage ceremony

2

a

: a conventional act of politeness or etiquette

the ceremony of introduction

b

: an action performed only formally with no deep significance

the custom had probably been long a mere ceremony

—C. Thirlwall

c

: a routine action performed with elaborate pomp

Liz Claiborne Inc. chief executive officer William McComb and Liz Claiborne New York creative director Isaac Mizrahi rang the closing bell [of the New York Stock Exchange], a daily ceremony they followed with the first-ever fashion show on the trading floor.

—Marc Karimzadeh

3

a

: prescribed procedures : usages

the ceremony attending an inauguration

b

: observance of an established code of civility or politeness

opened the door without ceremony and strode in

Synonyms

• ceremonial
• form
• formality
• observance
• rite
• ritual
• solemnity

Examples of ceremony in a Sentence

There will be a ceremony honoring the town's veterans next week.

With great ceremony, the children presented each of the visitors with a gift.

He told them abruptly and without ceremony that they would have to leave.

Recent Examples on the Web

Presidents leave the Capitol after the swearing-in ceremony and travel to the White House for a luncheon. —David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025

Inaugural ceremonies will begin at 11:30am ET, and the swearing-in ceremony will begin at noon, with Vice President-elect Vance going first and Trump to follow. —Kelly Tyko, Axios, 19 Jan. 2025

The ceremony in Washington, D.C., is scheduled to begin at 8:30 am PST. —Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 19 Jan. 2025

The swearing-in ceremony will see three musical performances, including Underwood, Christopher Macchio and Lee Greenwood. —Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 19 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ceremonie, from Middle French ceremonie, from Latin caerimonia

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ceremony

• stand on ceremony

Kids Definition

ceremony

noun

cer·​e·​mo·​ny ˈser-ə-ˌmō-nē 

plural ceremonies

1

: a formal act or series of acts performed in some regular way according to fixed rules

graduation ceremonies

2

: very polite behavior : formality

dined without ceremony