[see-ling] 
| 1. | the overhead interior surface of a room. |
| 2. | the top limit imposed by law on the amount of money that can be charged or spent or the quantity of goods that can be produced or sold. |
| 3. | Aeronautics.
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| 4. | Meteorology. the height above ground level of the lowest layer of clouds that cover more than half of the sky. |
| 5. | a lining applied for structural reasons to a framework, esp. in the interior surfaces of a ship or boat. |
| 6. | Also called ceiling piece. Theater. the ceiling or top of an interior set, made of cloth, a flat, or two or more flats hinged together. |
| 7. | the act or work of a person who makes or finishes a ceiling. |
| 8. | vaulting, as in a medieval church. |
| 9. | hit the ceiling, Informal. to become enraged: When he saw the amount of the bill, he hit the ceiling. |
| absolute ceiling n. The maximum altitude above sea level at which an aircraft or missile can maintain horizontal flight under standard atmospheric conditions. |