1
a
: the overhead inside lining of a room
The room has a high ceiling.
b
: material used to ceil a wall or roof of a room
2
: something thought of as an overhanging shelter or a lofty canopy
a ceiling of stars
3
a
: the height above the ground from which prominent objects on the ground can be seen and identified
b
: the height above the ground of the base of the lowest layer of clouds when over half of the sky is obscured
4
a
b
5
: an upper usually prescribed limit
a ceiling on prices, rents, and wages
Synonyms
Examples of ceiling in a Sentence
The house has low ceilings.
The airplane has a ceiling of 32,000 feet.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sheets are draped from the ceiling in an effort to create privacy.
—
Anas Baba, NPR, 4 June 2024
Perfect for a dance party or for laying on the ground staring at the ceiling.
—Liza Lentini, SPIN, 31 May 2024
Grand 14-foot ceilings, plaster crown moldings, oak parquet floors and five wood-burning fireplaces add elegance.
—David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 30 May 2024
Some of the newer add-ons include a family room with high ceilings and French doors that open to the backyard.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for ceiling 
Anas Baba, NPR, 4 June 2024
Perfect for a dance party or for laying on the ground staring at the ceiling.
—Liza Lentini, SPIN, 31 May 2024
Grand 14-foot ceilings, plaster crown moldings, oak parquet floors and five wood-burning fireplaces add elegance.
—David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 30 May 2024
Some of the newer add-ons include a family room with high ceilings and French doors that open to the backyard.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for ceiling
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ceiling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ceiling
Cite this Entry
“Ceiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceiling. Accessed 9 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ceiling
noun
ceil·ing
ˈsē-liŋ 
1
: the overhead inside lining of a room
2
: something that hangs over or is above
3
: the height above the ground of the base of the lowest layer of clouds when over half of the sky is hidden by clouds
4
: the greatest height at which an airplane can operate efficiently
5
: an upper usually prescribed limit
a ceiling on prices
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