Ceremony

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /ˈsÉ›rÉ™moÊŠnɪ/, /ˈserɪmÉ™nɪ/

Alternative forms

• cæremony, cærimony both archaic

Origin

From Middle English, from Latin caerimonia or caeremonia, later often cerimonia ("sacredness, reverence, a sacred rite").

Full definition of ceremony

Noun

1. A ritual with religious significance.
2. An official gathering to celebrate, commemorate, or otherwise mark some event.
3. A formal socially established behaviour, often in relation to people of different ranks.
4. (obsolete) An omen or portent.
• 1599, William Shakespeare, , II. i. 197:For he is superstitious grown of late,
  Quite from the main opinion he held once
  Of fantasy, of dreams, and ceremonies.
• 1599, William Shakespeare, , II. ii. 14:Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies,
  Yet now they fright me.

Derived terms

• ceremonial
• ceremonially
• ceremonialness
• ceremonious
• ceremoniously
• ceremoniousness
• ramp ceremony