ceremony

ceremony

cer‧e‧mo‧ny /ˈserəməni, ˈserɪməni $ -moʊni/ BrE AmE noun (plural ceremonies)
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: cerymonie, from Latin caerimonia]
1. [countable] an important social or religious event, when a traditional set of actions is performed in a formal way ⇨ ceremonial:
a wedding ceremony
the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games
2. [uncountable] the special actions and formal words traditionally used on particular occasions:
The queen was crowned with due ceremony.
3. without ceremony in a very informal way, without politeness:
He wished me good luck in the future and left without further ceremony.
⇨ not stand on ceremony at ↑stand¹(42)

COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ hold a ceremony A ceremony was held in Berlin to mark the occasion.
▪ attend a ceremony I attended the ceremony at the cathedral.
▪ be present at a ceremony The French ambassador was present at the ceremony.
▪ perform/conduct a ceremony The Bishop of Louisiana performed the ceremony.
▪ a ceremony takes place The ceremony took place on 13th June at 2:30.
▪ a ceremony marks something a ceremony marking the beginning of adulthood
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + ceremony
▪ a religious ceremony Did you have a religious ceremony when you got married?
▪ a wedding/marriage ceremony It was a beautiful wedding ceremony.
▪ a civil ceremony (=a wedding ceremony that is not a religious one) They married in a registrar's office, in a civil ceremony.
▪ a special ceremony The winners will receive their awards at a special ceremony in London.
▪ a short/brief ceremony He became acting president in a brief ceremony yesterday.
▪ a simple ceremony The gymnasium was opened in a simple ceremony on 26th May.
▪ a grand/elaborate ceremony The inhabitants of the town organized a grand ceremony to mark the occasion.
▪ a solemn ceremony (=a very serious one) There was a solemn ceremony in an ancient Roman church.
▪ a traditional ceremony The tribe still practise many of their traditional ceremonies.
▪ an opening/closing ceremony (=at the beginning or end of a special event) I stayed for the closing ceremony.
▪ an unveiling ceremony (=to show the public something new, for example a work of art) He attended the statue's unveiling ceremony.
▪ an awards ceremony (=to give people prizes for good achievements) the annual television awards ceremony
▪ a prize-giving ceremony (=to give people prizes for good achievements at school or college) A prize-giving ceremony will take place tomorrow night at the university.
▪ a graduation ceremony (=when you get your university degree) His proud parents attended his graduation ceremony.
▪ an inauguration ceremony (=when someone becomes President, Chancellor etc) It was the nation's 53rd inauguration ceremony.
▪ a swearing-in ceremony (=in which someone starting a public job promises to do it well) the presidential swearing-in ceremony
▪ a coronation ceremony (=in which someone becomes the new king or queen) Queen Elizabeth's coronation ceremony took place in 1953.
▪ a funeral ceremony Funeral ceremonies have been held since ancient times.
▪ an initiation ceremony (=in which someone officially becomes an adult, a member of a group etc) tribal initiation ceremonies
▪ a naming ceremony (=to name a baby, without a religious service) Many people opt for a naming ceremony rather than a christening.
▪ the tea ceremony (=a traditional ceremony in Japan for preparing and serving tea) It is Japan's leading school for teaching the tea ceremony.