procession
pruh-SESH-un
/prəˈsɛʃ.ən/
A line of people or vehicles moving forward in an orderly, ceremonial manner.
Emphasizes structured, deliberate, and formal movement in sequence.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin processio, from procedere ('to go forward'). In medieval universities, scholars marched in strict order of academic seniority, establishing the formal procession.
Word relationships
- parade: A parade is typically public and festive, whereas a procession is structured, formal, and often ceremonial.
- scatter: Scatter means dispersing randomly, the opposite of moving in an orderly procession.
Commonly confused with
- recession: In academic ceremonies, a procession is the formal march entering the hall, while a recession is the march exiting at the end.
Word family
- proceed (verb): To move forward.
- processional (adjective): Relating to or used in a procession.
Collocations
- academic procession
- lead the procession
- solemn procession
Example sentences
- "The faculty procession entered the auditorium to the sound of ceremonial organ music." Ceremony start
- "Students formed a quiet procession as they walked across the quad toward the hall." Traditional march
Memory hook
PROceed in a session = PROCESSION. Marching forward in line.
When not to use
Do not use for disorganized crowds or random queues.
Fun facts
- The traditional music for American academic processions is Edward Elgar's 'Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1'.
Related words
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