Definition

1. Noun:
   • A musical composition in march tempo intended to accompany a procession: A "processional march" is a specific type of march music written to provide a rhythmic and ceremonial soundtrack for formal parades, religious entries, or other organized walking processions.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The band played a solemn processional march as the graduates entered the stadium.
  • For the royal wedding, the composer wrote a new and majestic processional march.
  • The church's ceremony begins with the choir entering to the sound of a traditional processional march.

Advanced Usage

• As a compositional term: The term is often used in musical programs and scores to designate a piece's specific function.
  • The concert's first piece was listed as "Processional March in D Major."
• In descriptive contexts: It can be used to describe the nature of other music or even metaphorical "marches."
  • The film's score featured a theme with a processional march-like quality, underscoring the hero's solemn approach.

Variants and Related Words

• Processional (noun/adjective): As a noun, it can refer to the procession itself or a book containing hymns for a procession. As an adjective, it describes anything related to a procession (e.g., ).
• March (noun): A piece of music with a strong regular rhythm, typically written for marching. A "processional march" is a subcategory of a march.
• Recessional march: A march played as participants exit or recess from a ceremony.

Synonyms

• Ceremonial march: Emphasizes the formal, ritualistic aspect.
• Parade march: Highlights the public, parade context.

Related Phrases

• To the sound of a processional march: A phrase describing how a procession moves.
  • The dignitaries walked in to the sound of a solemn processional march.

Noun

1. a march to be played for processions