A ceiling is the horizontal surface that forms the top part or roof inside a room.
The rooms were spacious, with tall windows and high ceilings.
The study was lined from floor to ceiling on every wall with bookcases.
2. countable noun
A ceilingon something such as prices or wages is an official upper limit that cannot be broken.
...an informal agreement to put a ceiling on salaries. [+ on]
The agreement sets the ceiling of twenty-two-point-five million barrels a day onOPEC production. [+ of]
3. countable noun
A ceiling is the greatest height at which a particular aircraft can fly safely.
[technical]
ceiling in British English
(ˈsiːlɪŋ)
noun
1.
the inner upper surface of a room
2.
a.
an upper limit, such as one set by regulation on prices or wages
b.
(as modifier)
ceiling prices
3.
the upper altitude to which an aircraft can climb measured under specified conditions
See also service ceiling, absolute ceiling
4. meteorology
the highest level in the atmosphere from which the earth's surface is visible at a particular time, usually the base of a cloud layer
5.
a wooden or metal surface fixed to the interior frames of a vessel for rigidity
Word origin
C14: of uncertain origin
ceiling in American English
(ˈsilɪŋ)
noun
1.
the inside top part or covering of a room, opposite the floor
2.
any overhanging expanse seen from below
3.
an upper limit set on anything, as by official regulation
a ceiling on prices
4. Aeronautics
a.
a covering of clouds limiting vertical visibility
b.
the height of the lower surface of such a covering
c.
the maximum height at which an aircraft can fly under normal conditions
Idioms:
hit the ceiling
Word origin
< ceil
More idioms containing
ceiling
the glass ceiling
go through the ceiling
Examples of 'ceiling' in a sentence
ceiling
All homes will have high ceilings and large windows.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Walls, floors, ceilings and furniture are all the same colour.
The Sun (2017)
High ceilings, a chef and maid service add to the high-end vibe.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I point out all period details from original parquet floors to architectural detail such as columns, beams and high ceilings.
The Sun (2016)
The property has its original pub frontage with two doors, atmospheric rooms with beamed ceilings, and a modern kitchen and bathrooms.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Dozens of glazed eyes riveted attention somewhere on the floor or ceiling.
Christianity Today (2000)
The rooms have pitched ceilings supported by wooden beams.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The decorative plaster ceiling is one of the finest in the country.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The rooms have high ceilings and tiled floors.
The Sun (2013)
What was left of industry would be supervised and ceilings of production imposed.
Grenville, J. A. S. The Collins History of the World in the 20th Century (1994)
The visual effect would have been strikingly enhanced if the interior walls and ceiling had been painted.
Francis Pryor BRITAIN BC: Life In Britain and Ireland before the Romans (2003)
The apartments will have great views and wonderful ceiling heights.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Cloud ceiling a couple of feet above my head.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The carved wooden ceilings in many of the rooms are outstanding.
Jepson, Tim Umbria - the green heart of Italy (1989)
One alarm was ripped from the ceiling.
The Sun (2008)
The high ceilings and large sash windows give all rooms a light and airy feel.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Interiors feature beamed ceilings and a linen room.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The ceiling heights are quite low.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This will be in a striking room in the basement with a 5m ceiling.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The sitting room walls and ceiling are painted a dark chalky green, offset by pink armchairs.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It drops nearly 20ft from ceiling to floor.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The adjacent ensuite also has the double-height ceiling and roof lights.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This was where they did all their entertaining, so it had the highest ceilings and tallest windows.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They were in good wind now, and sent him slap up to the ceiling first time, against which his knees came rather sharply.
Thomas Hughes Tom Brown's Schooldays (1857)
Word lists with
ceiling
architectural features, terms used in aviation
In other languages
ceiling
British English: ceiling /ˈsiːlɪŋ/ NOUN
A ceiling is the top inside surface of a room.
...a small air vent in the ceiling.
American English: ceiling
Arabic: سَقْف
Brazilian Portuguese: teto
Chinese: 天花板
Croatian: strop
Czech: strop
Danish: loft dække over rum
Dutch: plafond
European Spanish: techo
Finnish: katto sisäkatto
French: plafond
German: Zimmerdecke
Greek: ταβάνι
Italian: soffitto
Japanese: 天井
Korean: 천장
Norwegian: tak
Polish: sufit
European Portuguese: tecto
Romanian: tavan
Russian: потолок
Latin American Spanish: techo
Swedish: innertak
Thai: เพดาน
Turkish: tavan
Ukrainian: стеля
Vietnamese: trần nhà
All related terms of 'ceiling'
ceil
to line (a ceiling ) with plaster , boarding , etc
ceiling fan
a fan fitted to the ceiling
ceiling price
the top price
ceiling rose
decorative plaster centrepiece
glass ceiling
When people refer to a glass ceiling , they are talking about the attitudes and traditions in a society that prevent women from rising to the top jobs .
ceiling height
A particular height is the distance that something is above the ground or above something else mentioned .
service ceiling
the height above sea level , measured under standard conditions, at which the rate of climb of an aircraft has fallen to a specified amount
absolute ceiling
the maximum height above sea level , usually measured in feet or metres , at which an aircraft can maintain horizontal flight
cathedral ceiling
a high ceiling formed by or suggesting an open-timbered roof
ceiling decoration
a plaster moulding for the centre of a ceiling ; other decoration, such as coving
hit the ceiling
to lose one's temper
the glass ceiling
the attitudes and traditions which sometimes prevent women, or people from ethnic or religious minorities , from getting the most important jobs
stained glass ceiling
a situation in a church organization in which promotion for a female member of the clergy appears to be possible , but discrimination prevents it
go through the ceiling
to suddenly increase very rapidly
rose
Rose is the past tense of → rise .
Chinese translation of 'ceiling'
ceiling
(ˈsiːlɪŋ)
n(c)
(in room) 天花板 (tiānhuābǎn) (块(塊), kuài)
(= limit) (on amount, salaries etc) 最高限度 (zuìgāo xiàndù)
to put a ceiling on sth给(給)某物制(製)定上限 (gěi mǒuwù zhìdìng shàngxiàn)