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
Lie on your back with arms extended straight toward the ceiling and knees bent at 90 degrees.
—
Jakob Roze, Health, 14 July 2025
Homemade bookcases went from floor to ceiling, with albums across the bottom row.
—Rebecca Chace
july 14, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025
The interior of the store features original barn wood for its counters and displays, as well as open beams in the ceilings and wide windows for plenty of natural light.
—Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 12 July 2025
What to expect: The white tablecloths remain, the chapel ceiling still stuns, but the food’s had a sharp little refresh under head chef Arturo Granato.
—Lela London, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ceiling
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Jakob Roze, Health, 14 July 2025
Homemade bookcases went from floor to ceiling, with albums across the bottom row.
—Rebecca Chace
july 14, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025
The interior of the store features original barn wood for its counters and displays, as well as open beams in the ceilings and wide windows for plenty of natural light.
—Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 12 July 2025
What to expect: The white tablecloths remain, the chapel ceiling still stuns, but the food’s had a sharp little refresh under head chef Arturo Granato.
—Lela London, Forbes.com, 2 July 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 19 Jul. 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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