ceremony

[ser-uh-moh-nee] /ˈsɛr əˌmoʊ ni/
noun, plural ceremonies.
1.
the formal activities conducted on some solemn or important public or state occasion:
the coronation ceremony.
2.
a formal religious or sacred observance; a solemn rite:
a marriage ceremony.
3.
formal observances or gestures collectively; ceremonial observances:
The breathless messenger had no time for ceremony.
4.
any formal act or observance, especially a meaningless one:
His low bow was mere ceremony.
5.
a gesture or act of politeness or civility:
the ceremony of a handshake.
6.
strict adherence to conventional forms; formality:
to leave a room without ceremony.
Idioms
7.
stand on ceremony, to behave in a formal or ceremonious manner.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English ceremonie < Medieval Latin cēremōnia, Latin caerimōnia sacred rite; replacing Middle English cerymonye < Middle French cerimonie < Latin, as above
Related forms
preceremony, noun, plural preceremonies.
Synonyms
1, 2. Ceremony, rite, ritual refer to set observances and acts traditional in religious services or on public occasions. Ceremony applies to more or less formal dignified acts on religious or public occasions: a marriage ceremony; an inaugural ceremony. A rite is an established, prescribed, or customary form of religious or other solemn practice: the rite of baptism. Ritual refers to the form of conducting worship or to a code of ceremonies in general: Masonic rituals.
Examples from the web for ceremony
  • We often downplay the importance of ceremony and ritual in university life.
  • Millions crowded into the mall to watch the ceremony.
  • The plans for the opening ceremony also show what a good networker the place is.
  • Of all the high-ranking samurai's cultural pursuits, none infatuated them as much as the tea ceremony.
  • The hangar-dedication ceremony is the latest in a string of opening events for the spaceport.
  • The dress depicts not only horses and their tracks but also the rectangular drums used at the giveaway ceremony.
  • It's best to start arranging the bride's bouquet three hours before the ceremony begins.
  • The monks obliged, he said, but they also expressed their displeasure by talking loudly to one another during the ceremony.
  • They laughed that he recently skipped an award ceremony because not enough people were going to see him accept the award.
  • Have the ceremony and reception in the same place to eliminate unnecessary travel.
British Dictionary definitions for ceremony

ceremony

/ˈsɛrɪmənɪ/
noun (pl) -nies
1.
a formal act or ritual, often set by custom or tradition, performed in observation of an event or anniversary: a ceremony commemorating Shakespeare's birth
2.
a religious rite or series of rites
3.
a courteous gesture or act: the ceremony of toasting the Queen
4.
ceremonial observances or gestures collectively: the ceremony of a monarchy
5.
stand on ceremony, to insist on or act with excessive formality
6.
without ceremony, in a casual or informal manner
Word Origin
C14: from Medieval Latin cēremōnia, from Latin caerimōnia what is sacred, a religious rite
Word Origin and History for ceremony
n.

late 14c., cerymonye, from Old French ceremonie and directly from Medieval Latin ceremonia, from Latin caerimonia "holiness, sacredness; awe; reverent rite, sacred ceremony," an obscure word, possibly of Etruscan origin, or a reference to the ancient rites performed by the Etruscan pontiffs at Caere, near Rome. Introduced in English by Wyclif.

Idioms and Phrases with ceremony

ceremony

see: stand on (ceremony)