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. 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
Marc Karimzadeh3
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
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
Jeannie Mai and Jeezy got married in March 2021 in an intimate ceremony.
—Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 20 Mar. 2025
The couple married in L.A. in October with R.E.M. lead singer Michael Stipe, a friend of Kurt Cobain who was the bride’s godfather, officiating the ceremony.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2025
She was scheduled to appear at the Golden Globes that week, but skipped the ceremony given the circumstances.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2025
The country music ceremony also included performances by Jelly Roll, Reba McEntire, Post Malone, Trace Adkins, Lainey Wilson and Kelsea Ballerini.
—Janelle Ash, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ceremony
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Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 20 Mar. 2025
The couple married in L.A. in October with R.E.M. lead singer Michael Stipe, a friend of Kurt Cobain who was the bride’s godfather, officiating the ceremony.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2025
She was scheduled to appear at the Golden Globes that week, but skipped the ceremony given the circumstances.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2025
The country music ceremony also included performances by Jelly Roll, Reba McEntire, Post Malone, Trace Adkins, Lainey Wilson and Kelsea Ballerini.
—Janelle Ash, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ceremony
Articles Related to ceremony
Cite this Entry
“Ceremony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceremony. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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