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
• processionally adverb
• unprocessional adjective

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

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

The drivers love the challenge of the track, but accept the race is likely going to be processional.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2025

Recycled robes, processional marches, silver pens from Tiffany: It is graduation season in America.

From New York Times • May 23, 2024

This was what the Portuguese composer called her own take on the fantastical world of Cervantes’ — a kind of processional colored calm in which melodic or rhythmic wisps reconfigure, never quite to be captured.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2024

Then a sudden fanfare of trumpets sounded and he jumped to the floor, bowing deeply as Gertrude and Claudius, arm in arm, descended the processional stairs into the great hall.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein