(meteorology) altitude of the lowest layer of clouds
"The pilot adjusted their flight path to stay below the ceiling, ensuring they remained clear of the thick cloud layer blocking visibility."
maximum altitude at which a plane can fly (under specified conditions)
"The pilot had to descend immediately because our aircraft exceeded its service ceiling and began losing engine power."
The overhead closure of a room.
"The old house had a low ceiling that made the living room feel cramped during summer."
In plain English: A ceiling is the flat surface that covers the top of a room and separates it from the space above.
"The ceiling in my living room is painted white."
Usage: Use ceiling to describe the solid upper surface that closes off the top of a room or enclosure. Do not confuse it with sky limits or maximum values unless specifically referring to metaphorical boundaries.
present participle of ceil
"The workers were busy ceiling the new attic room before winter arrived."
In plain English: To ceiling something means to stop it from going any higher.
"The ceiling fan started spinning after we turned on the switch."
Usage: Do not use "ceiling" as a verb to mean covering or plastering; that action belongs to the word "ceil." The noun "ceiling" refers strictly to the upper interior surface of a room.
The word ceiling comes from the Middle English verb celen, which meant to cover or panel walls. It traveled into modern usage through a shift in meaning that moved from hiding things with panels to referring specifically to an overhead covering.