Definition

1. Noun:
   • The upper interior surface of a room: The overhead surface that covers the top of a room.
   • An upper limit set on something: A maximum limit imposed on something, such as a price, quantity, or level.
   • The maximum altitude an aircraft can reach: The highest altitude at which an aircraft can operate effectively under given conditions.
   • The altitude of the lowest cloud layer: In meteorology, the height above ground level of the base of the lowest layer of clouds.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Interior Surface):
  • The room has a high, ornate ceiling.
  • A light fixture hung from the center of the ceiling.
• Noun (Upper Limit):
  • The government imposed a ceiling on interest rates.
  • There is a ceiling on the amount you can contribute each year.
• Noun (Aviation):
  • The aircraft's service ceiling is 45,000 feet.
• Noun (Meteorology):
  • The weather report stated the ceiling was 1,000 feet, limiting visibility.

Advanced Usage

• "to hit the ceiling": To become very angry or lose one's temper.
  • When he saw the bill, he hit the ceiling.
• "glass ceiling": An unofficially acknowledged barrier to advancement in a profession, especially affecting women and minorities.
  • She worked hard to break through the glass ceiling in her industry.

Variants and Related Words

• Ceilinged (adj): Having a ceiling of a specified kind.
  • The cathedral is a high-ceilinged building.
• Ceiling price (n): The maximum price set for a good or service.
  • The ceiling price for the medication was established by the regulator.

Synonyms

• Upper limit: The highest allowable point or level.
• Cap: An upper limit, especially an official one.
• Maximum: The greatest or highest amount possible.

Related Phrases

• Debt ceiling: The maximum amount of money a government is authorized to borrow.
  • Congress is debating whether to raise the debt ceiling.
• Price ceiling: A government-imposed maximum price that can be charged for a product.
  • The price ceiling on rent was intended to help tenants.

Related Idioms

• "Through the ceiling": Rising to a very high level.
  • After the announcement, sales went through the ceiling.

Noun

1. maximum altitude at which a plane can fly (under specified conditions)
2. an upper limit on what is allowed
   • he put a ceiling on the number of women who worked for him
   • there was a roof on salaries
   • they established a cap for prices
3. (meteorology) altitude of the lowest layer of clouds
4. the overhead upper surface of a covered space
   • he hated painting the ceiling