ceremonial

1 of 2

adjective

cer·​e·​mo·​ni·​al ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əl How to pronounce ceremonial (audio)
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
ceremonialism noun
ceremonialist noun
ceremonially adverb

ceremonial

2 of 2

noun

: a ceremonial act, action, or system
Choose the Right Synonym for ceremonial

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
When the court was constructed around 80 C.E., its Maya builders likely placed the plants there as a ceremonial offering, according to a statement from the University of Cincinnati. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2024 Perhaps it was designed to be worn over heavy clothes or made for a pregnant woman, a statue, or even a ceremonial animal. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 8 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for ceremonial 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ceremonial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1679, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ceremonial was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near ceremonial

Cite this Entry

“Ceremonial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceremonial. Accessed 15 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

ceremonial

1 of 2 adjective
cer·​e·​mo·​ni·​al ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əl How to pronounce ceremonial (audio)
: of, relating to, or forming a ceremony
ceremonialism noun
ceremonialist noun
ceremonially adverb
ceremonialness noun

ceremonial

2 of 2 noun
: a ceremonial act, action, or system

More from Merriam-Webster on ceremonial

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