ceremony

[ ser-uh-moh-nee ]

noun

, plural cer·e·mo·nies.

1. the formal activities conducted on some solemn or important public or state occasion:

   the coronation ceremony.

2. a formal religious or sacred observance; a solemn rite:

   a marriage ceremony.

3. formal observances or gestures collectively; ceremonial observances:

   The breathless messenger had no time for ceremony.

4. any formal act or observance, especially a meaningless one:

   His low bow was mere ceremony.

5. a gesture or act of politeness or civility:

   the ceremony of a handshake.

6. strict adherence to conventional forms; formality:

   to leave a room without ceremony.

ceremony

/ ˈsɛrɪmənɪ /

noun

1. a formal act or ritual, often set by custom or tradition, performed in observation of an event or anniversary

   a ceremony commemorating Shakespeare's birth

2. a religious rite or series of rites
3. a courteous gesture or act

   the ceremony of toasting the Queen

4. ceremonial observances or gestures collectively

   the ceremony of a monarchy

5. stand on ceremony
   to insist on or act with excessive formality
6. without ceremony
   in a casual or informal manner

Other Words From

• pre·cere·mony noun plural preceremonies

Word History and Origins

Origin of ceremony¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English ceremonie, from Medieval Latin cēremōnia, from Latin caerimōnia “sacred rite”; replacing Middle English cerymonye, from Middle French cerimonie, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of ceremony¹

C14: from Medieval Latin cēremōnia, from Latin caerimōnia what is sacred, a religious rite

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. stand on ceremony, to behave in a formal or ceremonious manner.

More idioms and phrases containing ceremony

see stand on (ceremony) .

Synonym Study

Ceremony, rite, ritual refer to set observances and acts traditional in religious services or on public occasions. Ceremony applies to more or less formal dignified acts on religious or public occasions: a marriage ceremony; an inaugural ceremony. A rite is an established, prescribed, or customary form of religious or other solemn practice: the rite of baptism. Ritual refers to the form of conducting worship or to a code of ceremonies in general: Masonic rituals.

Example Sentences

Paul says that during an ayahuasca ceremony, he saw himself fighting former boxing heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, with millions of kids watching the match on their TVs and devices.

From Los Angeles Times

The effort kicked off with “Chris Rock: Selective Outrage,” Rock’s first live comedy special after being slapped by actor Will Smith at the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony.

From Los Angeles Times

At the ceremony, the families sit on chairs amidst the long rows of small stone graves, marking the thousands of foreign soldiers who fought and died in the Korean War.

From BBC

Sergeant Northey, along with three others, are the first unknown British soldiers killed in the Korean War to be successfully identified, and Michael is attending a ceremony, along with the other families, to rename their graves.

From BBC

The King is treating his birthday as a working day, visiting a new food hub in south London and conducting a virtual opening ceremony for another, on Merseyside.

From BBC

Related Words

• commemoration
• function
• observance
• parade
• rite
• service
• show