cer ‧ e ‧ mo ‧ ny /ˈserəməni, ˈserɪməni $ -moʊni/ BrE AmE noun ( plural ceremonies )
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: cerymonie , from Latin caerimonia ]
1 . [countable] an important social or religious event, when a traditional set of actions is performed in a formal way ⇨ ceremonial :
a wedding ceremony
the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games
2 . [uncountable] the special actions and formal words traditionally used on particular occasions:
The queen was crowned with due ceremony.
3 . without ceremony in a very informal way, without politeness:
He wished me good luck in the future and left without further ceremony.
⇨ not stand on ceremony at ↑ stand 1 (42)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ hold a ceremony
A ceremony was held in Berlin to mark the occasion.
▪ attend a ceremony
I attended the ceremony at the cathedral.
▪ be present at a ceremony
The French ambassador was present at the ceremony.
▪ perform/conduct a ceremony
The Bishop of Louisiana performed the ceremony.
▪ a ceremony takes place
The ceremony took place on 13th June at 2:30.
▪ a ceremony marks something
a ceremony marking the beginning of adulthood
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + ceremony
▪ a religious ceremony
Did you have a religious ceremony when you got married?
▪ a wedding/marriage ceremony
It was a beautiful wedding ceremony.
▪ a civil ceremony (=a wedding ceremony that is not a religious one)
They married in a registrar's office, in a civil ceremony.
▪ a special ceremony
The winners will receive their awards at a special ceremony in London.
▪ a short/brief ceremony
He became acting president in a brief ceremony yesterday.
▪ a simple ceremony
The gymnasium was opened in a simple ceremony on 26th May.
▪ a grand/elaborate ceremony
The inhabitants of the town organized a grand ceremony to mark the occasion.
▪ a solemn ceremony (=a very serious one)
There was a solemn ceremony in an ancient Roman church.
▪ a traditional ceremony
The tribe still practise many of their traditional ceremonies.
▪ an opening/closing ceremony (=at the beginning or end of a special event)
I stayed for the closing ceremony.
▪ an unveiling ceremony (=to show the public something new, for example a work of art)
He attended the statue's unveiling ceremony.
▪ an awards ceremony (=to give people prizes for good achievements)
the annual television awards ceremony
▪ a prize-giving ceremony (=to give people prizes for good achievements at school or college)
A prize-giving ceremony will take place tomorrow night at the university.
▪ a graduation ceremony (=when you get your university degree)
His proud parents attended his graduation ceremony.
▪ an inauguration ceremony (=when someone becomes President, Chancellor etc)
It was the nation's 53rd inauguration ceremony.
▪ a swearing-in ceremony (=in which someone starting a public job promises to do it well)
the presidential swearing-in ceremony
▪ a coronation ceremony (=in which someone becomes the new king or queen)
Queen Elizabeth's coronation ceremony took place in 1953.
▪ a funeral ceremony
Funeral ceremonies have been held since ancient times.
▪ an initiation ceremony (=in which someone officially becomes an adult, a member of a group etc)
tribal initiation ceremonies
▪ a naming ceremony (=to name a baby, without a religious service)
Many people opt for a naming ceremony rather than a christening.
▪ the tea ceremony (=a traditional ceremony in Japan for preparing and serving tea)
It is Japan's leading school for teaching the tea ceremony.