ceremonial

adjective

cer·e·mo·ni·al | \ ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əl

, ˌse-rə-\

Definition of ceremonial

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

ceremonial

noun

Definition of ceremonial (Entry 2 of 2)

: a ceremonial act, action, or system

Other Words from ceremonial Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about ceremonial

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Other Words from ceremonial

Adjective

ceremonialism \ ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-ə-ˌli-zəm

, ˌse-rə- \ noun

ceremonialist \ ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-ə-list

, ˌse-rə- \ noun

ceremonially \ ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-ə-lē

, ˌse-rə- \ adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for ceremonial

Adjective

ceremonial, ceremonious, formal, conventional mean marked by attention to or adhering strictly to prescribed forms. ceremonial and ceremonious both imply strict attention to what is prescribed by custom or by ritual, but ceremonial applies to things that are associated with ceremonies a ceremonial offering , ceremonious to persons given to ceremony or to acts attended by ceremony. made his ceremonious entrance formal applies both to things prescribed by and to persons obedient to custom and may suggest stiff, restrained, or old-fashioned behavior. a formal report the headmaster's formal manner conventional implies accord with general custom and usage conventional courtesy and may suggest a stodgy lack of originality or independence. conventional fiction

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: Adjective

And some of the scarce remaining time will be filled with the centuries-old rituals that attend the reopening of Parliament—waste camouflaged by ceremonial frippery. — Amy Davidson Sorkin, The New Yorker, "Boris Johnson’s Parliamentary Runaround," 30 Aug. 2019 The queen just got dragged into Brexit — and everyone is mad As a largely ceremonial head of state, Queen Elizabeth II is not accustomed to being dragged into the messy heart of British politics. — Petra Cahill, NBC News, "Hurricane Dorian skims Puerto Rico, Dem debate stage narrows & Prof. Matthew McConaughey? The Morning Rundown," 29 Aug. 2019 The late trumpeter will be honored with Marcus Belgrave Drive, a ceremonial renaming of Randolph Street at Madison — just down the block from Aretha Franklin Way and around from a new Stevie Wonder mural gracing Music Hall. — Brian Mccollum, Detroit Free Press, "Jazz great Marcus Belgrave getting a street in downtown Detroit," 28 Aug. 2019 People who don’t care enough should not be attending those weddings and other ceremonial occasions; and ones who do care, but cannot attend, should want to send a token of their affection anyway. — Judith Martin, Washington Post, "Miss Manners: Explaining Americans’ obsession with youth," 27 Aug. 2019 People who don’t care enough should not be attending those weddings and other ceremonial occasions; and ones who do care, but cannot attend, should want to send a token of their affection anyway. — Judith Martin, The Mercury News, "Miss Manners: Other foreigners agree with me that this American habit is rude," 27 Aug. 2019 Artist Melissa Meier’s dresses are inspired by the pageantry of Brazil’s Carnival and the ceremonial garb of indigenous people and are designed to portray strength, beauty and female empowerment. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "9 things to do in San Diego this weekend: San Diego Spirits Festival, ‘Black Life’ exhibit, Symphony at Salk," 23 Aug. 2019 Its personnel perform ceremonial and security missions in the nation’s capital. — The Washington Post, Twin Cities, "Prosecution details fatal shooting of Minnesota Marine by his colleague," 23 Aug. 2019 Officials from the Japanese company did more than just hold a ceremonial groundbreaking for its $110 million facility that will produce about 380 jobs as a MTMUS supplier. — Paul Gattis | [email protected], al, "Mazda Toyota supplier event a celebration in Huntsville," 23 Aug. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The ceremony eclipsed in pomp and splendor any recent ceremonial of the British court. — Scott Harrison, latimes.com, "Royal Wedding: British royal weddings since 1840," 15 May 2018 The actress said this stemmed from working non-stop on back-to-back albums, her 2009 debut Lungs and 2011's Ceremonials. — Harper's Bazaar Staff, Harper's BAZAAR, "Florence + the Machine Performs on 'The Late Show'," 7 Oct. 2015

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ceremonial.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for ceremonial

ceremonial

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of ceremonial

(Entry 1 of 2)

: used in or done as part of a ceremony

: including a ceremony : marked by a ceremony

: without real power or influence

ceremonial

noun

English Language Learners Definition of ceremonial (Entry 2 of 2)

: a special ceremony

See the full definition for ceremonial in the English Language Learners Dictionary

ceremonial

Definition of ceremonial

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Examples of ceremonial in a Sentence

First Known Use of ceremonial

English Language Learners Definition of ceremonial

ceremonial

Definition of ceremonial

Other Words from ceremonial

Synonyms & Antonyms for ceremonial

Choose the Right Synonym for ceremonial

Examples of ceremonial in a Sentence

First Known Use of ceremonial

English Language Learners Definition of ceremonial

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