adjective
ceremonial
sair-uh-MOH-nee-ul/ˌserɪˈməʊniəl/
Serving a formal ritual or observance.
The woman uses ceremonial scissors to cut the ribbon across the entrance.
Etymology
Caerimonia referred to a sacred or reverent rite, so ceremonial originally described religious ritual. Its scope extends to formal observances and official occasions, whether religious or not.
In context
A ceremonial mace is a highly ornamented staff of metal or wood, intended to symbolize the authority of the institution.
More examples
- Her position as patron is largely ceremonial.
- The visitors enter through the ceremonial gateway.
- A ceremonial bell marks the opening of the session.
Similar words
- ritual
- Emphasizes prescribed symbolic actions, often religious.
- symbolic
- Represents an idea without necessarily belonging to a ceremony.