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
Individual cottages with modern interiors are set up in mini neighborhoods and have fireplaces with polished concrete hearths, heated floors, and floor-to-ceiling glass bifold doors leading to landscaped gardens.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
The Tigers’ ability to shoot and score kept them in games, but defensive lapses and depth issues, particularly in SEC play, limited their ceiling.
—Aaron Segal, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
There has also been speculation that the cap ceiling will rise to $123 million in 2028-29.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2026
The finalized millwork doesn’t completely reach the ceiling, which was an intentional design choice—leaving a white edge near the ceiling ensured the space wouldn’t feel too cramped.
—Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ceiling
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
The Tigers’ ability to shoot and score kept them in games, but defensive lapses and depth issues, particularly in SEC play, limited their ceiling.
—Aaron Segal, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
There has also been speculation that the cap ceiling will rise to $123 million in 2028-29.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2026
The finalized millwork doesn’t completely reach the ceiling, which was an intentional design choice—leaving a white edge near the ceiling ensured the space wouldn’t feel too cramped.
—Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ceiling
Cite this Entry
“Ceiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceiling. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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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