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

The coronavirus had already altered the ceremony for Football Bowl Subdivision teams this past fall.

From Washington Post

Once the dangers from the coronavirus pass and we can resume a semblance of our normal lives, I will be performing a cousin's wedding ceremony.

From Washington Post

The Weeknd accused the Recording Academy of being “corrupt,” and an unidentified source told Rolling Stone that his team had been given an ultimatum over his performing at the Super Bowl in proximity to the originally scheduled Grammys ceremony.

From Washington Post

You don’t have to choose a particular type of dress or a particular type of ceremony.

From Freakonomics

About 80 to 100 members of Congress also were gathered in the Capitol Rotunda for the ceremony, with more filing in afterward to pay their respects to Sicknick.

From Washington Post

Students moan and growl and shriek and yawp, as if exorcising demons in a ritualistic ceremony.

From The Daily Beast

The ceremony ended with a singing of “God Bless America,” with some of those in the stands as well as de Blasio singing along.

From The Daily Beast

Her mother made demands about a big ceremony and caused a rift between them.

From The Daily Beast

When he is awarded Player of the Match while competing for India in England, he is given champagne at the ceremony.

From The Daily Beast

He had a special knife designed to cut the dense loaf, and a ceremony to precede cutting the cake.

From The Daily Beast

He conducts this ceremony with the greatest solemnity, occasionally pronouncing these incantatory words, "Plate or shell, sah?"

From Project Gutenberg

Hedges had to go on his way also, for it was close upon the countess-dowager's dinner-hour, at which ceremony he must attend.

From Project Gutenberg

No sooner was the ceremony over than the wicked count ordered her to present herself at the castle.

From Project Gutenberg

It is impossible to describe the thrilling effect produced by this striking ceremony.

From Project Gutenberg

The captain begged permission to accompany us on shore; this was immediately granted, and the whole ceremony was completed.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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