ceremony

Universal Words noun (plural ceremonies) 1 [C] a public or religious occasion that includes a series of formal or traditional actions: an awards / opening ceremony * a wedding / marriage ceremony 2 [U] formal behaviour; traditional actions and words used on particular formal occasions: The royal guests were welcomed with pomp and ceremony. IDIOMS stand on ceremony (BrE) to behave formally: Please don't stand on ceremony (= Please be natural and relaxed) with me. without ceremony in a very rough or informal way: He found himself pushed without ceremony out of the house and the door slammed in his face. seealsoMASTEROFCEREMONIES