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Added 9 October 2026

ceiling

/ˈsiːlɪŋ/ noun

In Latin: lacunar Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about ceiling at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

The overhead upper surface of a covered space.
he hated painting the ceiling
(meteorology) altitude of the lowest layer of clouds.
An upper limit on what is allowed.
he put a ceiling on the number of women who worked for him

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.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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