procession

1 of 2

noun

pro·​ces·​sion prə-ˈse-shən How to pronounce procession (audio)
Synonyms of procession
1
a
: a group of individuals moving along in an orderly often ceremonial way
b
: succession, sequence
2
a
: continuous forward movement : progression
b
: emanation
the Holy Spirit's procession from the Father

procession

2 of 2

verb

processioned; processioning; processions

intransitive verb

archaic
: to go in procession

Synonyms of procession

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Noun

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Examples of procession in a Sentence

Noun There was a procession of children carrying candles. The cars moved in procession to the cemetery.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
In one photograph in particular, attorney Inez Milholland Boissevain led the procession astride a white horse. — Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026 At eleven-thirty, the rig rolled slowly off the lot and began its stately procession onto Santa Monica Boulevard, surrounded by an entourage of patrol cars. — Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026 The charges are hindering proceedings by disorderly conduct, a Class A misdemeanor, and disrupting a meeting or procession, a Class B misdemeanor. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026 Local South Asian cultural organizations joined the procession, marking 80 years of Indian independence with music, dance and floats hung with Indian flags and colorful streamers. — Evgenia Anastasakos, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for procession

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English processioun, from Anglo-French processiun, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin procession-, processio religious procession, from Latin, act of proceeding, from procedere

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1706, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of procession was before the 12th century

Rhymes for procession

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Browse Nearby Words

processer
procession
processional
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Procession.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/procession. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

procession

noun
pro·​ces·​sion
prə-ˈsesh-ən
1
: continuous forward movement : progression
2
: a group of individuals moving along in an orderly often ceremonial way
a funeral procession

More from Merriam-Webster on procession

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about procession

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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