ceremonial occasion

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Noun

ceremonial occasion - a formal event performed on a special occasion; "a ceremony commemorating Pearl Harbor"

social function, social occasion, occasion, affair, function - a vaguely specified social event; "the party was quite an affair"; "an occasion arranged to honor the president"; "a seemingly endless round of social functions"

circumstance - formal ceremony about important occasions; "pomp and circumstance"

funeral - a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated; "hundreds of people attended his funeral"

hymeneals, nuptials, wedding, wedding ceremony - the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed

pageantry, pageant - a rich and spectacular ceremony

dedication - a ceremony in which something (as a building) is dedicated to some goal or purpose

opening - a ceremony accompanying the start of some enterprise

commemoration, memorialisation, memorialization - a ceremony to honor the memory of someone or something

military ceremony - a formal ceremony performed by military personnel

induction, initiation, installation - a formal entry into an organization or position or office; "his initiation into the club"; "he was ordered to report for induction into the army"; "he gave a speech as part of his installation into the hall of fame"

exercise - (usually plural) a ceremony that involves processions and speeches; "academic exercises"

fire walking - the ceremony of walking barefoot over hot stones or a bed of embers

formalities, formality - a requirement of etiquette or custom; "a mere formality"

Maundy - a public ceremony on Maundy Thursday when the monarch distributes Maundy money

potlatch - a ceremonial feast held by some Indians of the northwestern coast of North America (as in celebrating a marriage or a new accession) in which the host gives gifts to tribesmen and others to display his superior wealth (sometimes, formerly, to his own impoverishment)

References in periodicals archive ?

Despite typically large numbers of security personnel for the ceremonial occasion, eyewitnesses say the attackers were able to keep shooting for well over a minute.

President Sadat assassinated

It would overshadow anything the Queen would say and relegate the state opening to being a ceremonial occasion.

BLAIR EDGES QUEEN ASIDE

Assorted fashionistas were left admiring Camilla's thrifty wardrobe management after she recycled her wedding outfit to attend Tuesday's ceremonial occasion at the Senedd - that is, those that weren't aghast at her defiance of that golden rule of red carpet fashion: not to wear an extravagantly expensive item more than once for fear of having ruthless picture editors mark the occasion with images of both instances.

Success of low-key tour 'shows Wales has taken the royal couple to their hearts'

Yesterday afternoon the grounds of Alnwick Castle became the stage for the golden ceremonial occasion, which included a fly-past by one of the station's own Sea King search-and-rescue helicopters.

Honouring brave Boulmer crews

It's believed to be the first time in 10 years that Fergie's attended a ceremonial occasion with the royals and clearly she's forgotten the sacred "less is more" dress code.

Tri-ing too hard

Devoted Mason, 55, has helped to plan almost every royal ceremonial occasion involving the military, including the Queen Mother's funeral.

TEARS OF A CROWN; Queen cries as favourite soldier leads her parade for the last time

If agreement cannot be reached a full debate will have to take place at what is traditionally a ceremonial occasion for the installation of the new Mayor.

DEMOCRACY LEFT IN THE BALANCE; Political Reporter JANE WOODHEAD looks at local authorities where no individual party has overall control

Trooping the Colour is social as well as a ceremonial occasion and in the stands overlooking the parade ground were the wives, girlfriends and parents of the guardsmen and officers on parade.

Pomp and pageantry; Young Prince Louis steals show on his first balcony appearance

Every year, more than 100 couples wait all year along for this ceremonial occasion, which marks a milestone in their lives.