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
There were false ceilings and sealed off spaces — through which the fire could travel unseen by firefighters.
—
Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 27 July 2025
Rather than doors built floor to ceiling, they are corrugated plastic sheets.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2025
Inside, the home retains a wealth of original charm: high ceilings, wide pine floors, intricate woodwork, and tall windows that usher in natural light.
—Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 25 July 2025
With its mosaic-tiled entryway and bathrooms, high ceilings, and original molding, this three-bedroom, four bathroom Airbnb channels that same Art Nouveau spirit.
—Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ceiling
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Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 27 July 2025
Rather than doors built floor to ceiling, they are corrugated plastic sheets.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2025
Inside, the home retains a wealth of original charm: high ceilings, wide pine floors, intricate woodwork, and tall windows that usher in natural light.
—Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 25 July 2025
With its mosaic-tiled entryway and bathrooms, high ceilings, and original molding, this three-bedroom, four bathroom Airbnb channels that same Art Nouveau spirit.
—Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 25 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 5 Aug. 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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