/ ˈserəməni; NAmE -moʊni/ noun ( pl. -ies )
1.
[ C ] a public or religious occasion that includes a series of formal or traditional actions :
an awards / opening ceremony
a wedding / marriage ceremony
2.
[ U ] formal behaviour; traditional actions and words used on particular formal occasions
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IDIOMS
- stand on ceremony
- without ceremony
—see also master of ceremonies
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French ceremonie or Latin caerimonia religious worship, (plural) ritual observances.