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
Lind used pine planks on the walls and ceiling and a neutral color palette to connect the primary suite with the surrounding vista.
—
Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2025
Meeker County’s ceiling – despite being an enticing package – fell far below the offer made by Kandiyohi County.
—Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
As is often Siriano's specialty, roses filled the room from floor to ceiling, with deep red roses taking over the all-red space on the west side of Manhattan.
—Anika Reed, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2025
For context, the Paris Agreement -- which President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from last month -- set 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit as a ceiling to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
—Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ceiling 
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Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2025
Meeker County’s ceiling – despite being an enticing package – fell far below the offer made by Kandiyohi County.
—Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
As is often Siriano's specialty, roses filled the room from floor to ceiling, with deep red roses taking over the all-red space on the west side of Manhattan.
—Anika Reed, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2025
For context, the Paris Agreement -- which President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from last month -- set 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit as a ceiling to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
—Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ceiling
Dictionary Entries Near ceiling
Cite this Entry
“Ceiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceiling. Accessed 13 Feb. 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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