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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
In Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood, a rare mass funeral procession wound past markets and apartments as 112 coffins from two extended families were carried to burial. — Bilal Shbeir, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026 Traffic stopped for several minutes to allow the procession pass. — ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026 Other years devolved into long single-file processions where the handful of surviving cars simply tried to avoid becoming the next caution. — Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Rather than a celebration, the film plays more like a funeral procession, or perhaps a bedside vigil for a man who has, indeed, seemingly sacrificed his life in pursuit of his art. — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 1 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
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Cite this Entry

“Procession.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/procession. Accessed 12 Aug. 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

Nglish: Translation of procession for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about procession

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