Link Centre Dictionary

ceiling

cei·ling

UK/ˈsiːlɪŋ/ US/ˈsilɪŋ/ common

noun

1.

the overhead upper surface of a room

  • “he hated painting the ceiling”
2.

(meteorology) altitude of the lowest layer of clouds

3.

an upper limit on what is allowed

  • “they established a cap for prices”
Synonyms
4.

maximum altitude at which a plane can fly (under specified conditions)

Origin

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.

Phrases

  • absolute ceiling
  • acoustic ceiling
  • bamboo ceiling
  • brass ceiling
  • cathedral ceiling
  • ceiling bird
  • ceiling effect
  • ceiling fan

Related words

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WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.