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
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
This wine, one of six prestige cuvées Krug produces, is a master class in crafting Champagne—and the new building’s soaring wood ceilings and colossal plate-glass windows provide an apt setting for its development.
—
Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 22 Feb. 2025
But the lights from the ceiling are shining back, highlighting the smudges on the mirror.
—Hank Sanders, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
The house also has two laundry rooms, a primary bedroom suite with tray ceilings and two walk-in closets and a balcony.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025
Invest in a humidifier for the winter and a ceiling fan for the summer.
—Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ceiling
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Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 22 Feb. 2025
But the lights from the ceiling are shining back, highlighting the smudges on the mirror.
—Hank Sanders, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
The house also has two laundry rooms, a primary bedroom suite with tray ceilings and two walk-in closets and a balcony.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025
Invest in a humidifier for the winter and a ceiling fan for the summer.
—Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ceiling
Cite this Entry
“Ceiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceiling. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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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