cer·e·mo·ni·al
ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əl 
ˌse-rə-
1
: marked by, involved in, or belonging to ceremony : stressing careful attention to form and detail
ceremonial rites
2
: having no real power or influence
his new position is largely ceremonial
: a ceremonial act, action, or system
Synonyms
Examples of ceremonial in a Sentence
Adjective
The tribe has different ceremonial masks for each ceremony.
His new position is largely ceremonial because all the decisions are actually made by a committee.
Noun
a number of religious ceremonials
the funeral of a pope is usually marked by rich pageantry and elaborate ceremonials
Recent Examples on the Web
Jenna Bednar, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024
Members of the party will have positions on the stage during the ceremonial weigh-in on the day prior to fight night.
—Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 1 Nov. 2024
Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2024
As her funeral is shown on The Crown season 6, here’s everything to know about the royal ceremonial.
—Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023
See all Example Sentences for ceremonial 
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Adjective
This process was further clarified by the 2022 amendments to the Electoral Count Act, which redefined the certification of electoral votes and affirmed the vice president’s role as purely ceremonial.
—Jenna Bednar, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024
Members of the party will have positions on the stage during the ceremonial weigh-in on the day prior to fight night.
—Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
In Chicago, a second roll-call vote will take place, this one ceremonial.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2024
As her funeral is shown on The Crown season 6, here’s everything to know about the royal ceremonial.
—Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023
See all Example Sentences for ceremonial
Articles Related to ceremonial
Dictionary Entries Near ceremonial
Cite this Entry
“Ceremonial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceremonial. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ceremonial
1 of 2 adjective
cer·e·mo·ni·al
ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əl
: of, relating to, or forming a ceremony
ceremonialness
noun
ceremonial
2 of 2 noun
: a ceremonial act, action, or system
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