noun
1 formal public/religious event
ADJECTIVE
▪ brief , short
▪ quiet , simple
▪ elaborate , glittering ( BrE ), lavish
▪ moving , solemn
▪ private , public
▪ formal , important , official , special , traditional
▪
an official ~ to welcome the new director
▪ inaugural ( esp. AmE ), opening
▪
the opening ~ of the Olympics
▪ closing
▪ awards , presentation , prize-giving ( esp. BrE )
▪ civil-partnership ( in the UK ), commitment ( AmE ), marriage , wedding
▪
a same-sex commitment ~
▪ civil , religious
▪ coming-of-age , naming , retirement ( AmE )
▪ burial ( esp. AmE ), funeral , memorial , wreath-laying
▪ commencement ( AmE ), degree , graduation
▪ inauguration , induction , initiation , signing , swearing-in
▪ groundbreaking (= to mark the beginning of construction of a new building)
▪ dedication , flag-raising ( AmE ), ribbon-cutting , unveiling
▪ tea
▪
the Japanese tea ~
VERB + CEREMONY
▪ conduct , officiate ( AmE ), officiate at , perform
▪
The marriage ~ was performed by the bishop.
▪ hold , host
▪ attend , be present at , take part in
CEREMONY + VERB
▪ take place
▪ commemorate sth , honour/honor sb/sth , mark sth
▪
a special ~ to mark the opening of the festival
PREPOSITION
▪ at a/the ~
▪
Many dignitaries were present at the ~.
▪ during a/the ~
▪
A lot of people wept during the funeral ~.
▪ in a/the ~
▪
They were married in a simple ~.
2 formal/traditional actions and words
VERB + CEREMONY
▪ stand on ( esp. BrE )
▪
I won't stand on ~ (= be formal) .
PREPOSITION
▪ without ~
▪
It was done quickly and without ~.
PHRASES
▪ pomp and ~
▪
the pomp and ~ of a royal wedding
▪ with great ~
▪
She was buried with great ~ in the Abbey.