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
The president holds a largely ceremonial role but is one of the top four political positions in the Southeast Asian nation. Reuters, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024 For the ceremonial first pitch, Chan Ho Park, the first Korean player in MLB history, took the mound in a half-Dodgers, half-Padres jersey, honoring his stints with both teams. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 In addition to being a highly respected educator, renowned for his deep knowledge of astronomy from both an Indigenous and a Western approach, Buck is an elder and ceremonial leader for the Cree, one of Canada’s largest First Nations groups. Lise Pedersen, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 The organization conducted a protest outside the convention center where the mushers’ banquet was held before the ceremonial start of the race March 2 in Anchorage. Mark Thiessen, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2024 Dallas Seavey of Talkeetna, Alaska, takes an auction winner in his sled 11 miles over the streets of Anchorage, Alaska, during the March 2, 2024, ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024 In Spain, the three children with Down syndrome and the child with Edwards syndrome were buried either in homes or in special ritual buildings alongside ceremonial objects. Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024 That raised eyebrows in a country where the president — though hailing from the center-right — serves as the ceremonial head of state. Catarina Fernandes Martins, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024 Herzog, before becoming president, which is a largely ceremonial role, used to head Israel’s Labor party, which historically has been an advocate for making peace with Palestinians. Reuters, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024
Noun
As her funeral is shown on The Crown season 6, here’s everything to know about the royal ceremonial. Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023 Nothing ceremonial marked the reopening, but a parking lot memorial stood as a reminder of the recent tragedy. Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2023 He’s aided in this regard by DP Khalid Mohtaseb’s artfully dank lensing in shades of green and gold and gunge, and the shrieking ceremonials of Jed Kurzel’s suitably unrestrained score. Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Apr. 2023 Why Frank Jackson had held that ceremonial? Laura Johnston, cleveland, 25 Aug. 2022 The activism goes beyond the ceremonial. Phil Taylor, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Nov. 2020 Matchaful's Kiwami single cultivar ceremonial matcha is perfect for those who want the best possible flavor and quality — as well as an energizing drink. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2022 There are three main types of matcha tea ceremonial, culinary, and matcha latte. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Mar. 2022 The British empire soon crumbled, but Elizabeth managed to maintain a regal — if ceremonial — position as the head of the Commonwealth, the 54 nations of mostly previous British colonies. Andrew Meldrum, ajc, 9 Sep. 2022

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 29 Mar. 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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