ceiling
//ˈsiːlɪŋ//
Forms
- Plural
- ceilings
Definitions
1.The overhead closure of a room.
- The dining room had an ornate ceiling.
2.The upper limit of an object or action.
- Market forces naturally move the economy to the equilibrium, and the price ceiling has no effect on the price or the quantity sold.
3.The highest altitude at which an aircraft can safely maintain flight.
4.The measurement of visible distance from ground or sea level to an overcast cloud cover; under a clear sky, the ceiling measurement is identified as "unlimited."
- Even though it was cloudy, there was still enough ceiling for the Blue Angels to perform a great show.
1.present participle and gerund of ceil
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #3088
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Etymology
From Middle English celing (“paneling; (bed) cover or hanging”), from celen (“to cover or panel walls”) (from Old French celer (“to conceal”)) + -ing (gerund-forming suffix).
By surface analysis, ceil + -ing.