n.
Pronunciation: ' ser- ə - ˌ m ō -n ē , ' se-r ə -
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -nies
Etymology: Middle English ceremonie, from Middle French ceremonie, from Latin caerimonia
Date: 14th century
1 : a formal act or series of acts prescribed by ritual, protocol, or convention <the marriage ceremony >
2 a : a conventional act of politeness or etiquette <the ceremony of introduction> b : an action performed only formally with no deep significance c : a routine action performed with elaborate pomp
3 a : prescribed procedures : USAGES <the ceremony attending an inauguration> b : observance of an established code of civility or politeness <opened the door without ceremony and strode in>