ceiling

noun

ceil·​ing ˈsē-liŋ 

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

: absolute ceiling

b

: service ceiling

5

: an upper usually prescribed limit

a ceiling on prices, rents, and wages

ceilinged

ˈsē-liŋd 

adjective

Synonyms

• bound
• boundary
• cap
• confines
• end
• extent
• limit
• limitation
• line
• termination

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

The federal government will also soon be on the brink of default, and Congress must raise the debt ceiling to avoid it. —Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2025

Another fence Republicans need to clear is the debt ceiling. —Tobias Burns, The Hill, 28 Jan. 2025

As an average-sized adult male, my head was uncomfortably hitting the ceiling while seated there. —Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025

The corridors are wider and the ceilings are higher, Weiss added. —David Moin, WWD, 27 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English celing, from celen

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing ceiling

• absolute ceiling
• cathedral ceiling
• glass ceiling
• go through the ceiling
• hit the ceiling
• service ceiling
• sub-ceiling

Kids 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