/ser"euh moh'nee/ , n. , pl. ceremonies .
1. the formal activities conducted on some solemn or important public or state occasion: the coronation ceremony.
2. a formal religious or sacred observance; a solemn rite: a marriage ceremony.
3. formal observances or gestures collectively; ceremonial observances: The breathless messenger had no time for ceremony.
4. any formal act or observance, esp. a meaningless one: His low bow was mere ceremony.
5. a gesture or act of politeness or civility: the ceremony of a handshake.
6. strict adherence to conventional forms; formality: to leave a room without ceremony.
7. stand on ceremony , to behave in a formal or ceremonious manner.
[ 1350-1400; ME ceremonie ceremonia, L caerimonia sacred rite; r. ME cerymonye cerimonie ]
Syn. 1, 2. CEREMONY, RITE, RITUAL refer to set observances and acts traditional in religious services or on public occasions. CEREMONY applies to more or less formal dignified acts on religious or public occasions: a marriage ceremony; an inaugural ceremony. A RITE is an established, prescribed, or customary form of religious or other solemn practice: the rite of baptism. RITUAL refers to the form of conducting worship or to a code of ceremonies in general: Masonic rituals.