ceiling
the overhead interior surface of a room.
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.
Aeronautics.
the maximum altitude from which the earth can be seen on a particular day, usually equal to the distance between the earth and the base of the lowest cloud bank.
Also called absolute ceiling. the maximum altitude at which a particular aircraft can operate under specified conditions.
Meteorology. the height above ground level of the lowest layer of clouds that cover more than half of the sky.
a lining applied for structural reasons to a framework, especially in the interior surfaces of a ship or boat.
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.
the act or work of a person who makes or finishes a ceiling.
vaulting, as in a medieval church.
Idioms about ceiling
hit the ceiling, Informal. to become enraged: When he saw the amount of the bill, he hit the ceiling.
Origin of ceiling
1Other words from ceiling
- ceil·inged, adjective
- sub·ceil·ing, noun
- un·ceil·inged, adjective
- un·der·ceil·ing, noun
Words that may be confused with ceiling
- ceiling , sealing
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for ceiling
/ (ˈsiːlɪŋ) /
the inner upper surface of a room
an upper limit, such as one set by regulation on prices or wages
(as modifier): ceiling prices
the upper altitude to which an aircraft can climb measured under specified conditions: See also service ceiling, absolute ceiling
meteorol 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
a wooden or metal surface fixed to the interior frames of a vessel for rigidity
Origin of ceiling
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with ceiling
see glass ceiling; hit the ceiling.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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