ceiling
UK: ˈsiːlɪŋ | US: ˈsiːlɪŋ
n. the upper interior surface of a room
n. an upper limit set on something (e.g., prices, wages)
n. (aviation) the maximum altitude an aircraft can reach
The word "ceiling" originates from the Middle English term "celing," derived from the Old French "ciel" (meaning "sky" or "heaven"), which in turn comes from the Latin "caelum" (sky). The verb "ceil" (now archaic) meant "to cover or panel a room’s interior," reflecting the idea of the ceiling as a "covering" akin to the sky. Over time, the noun form "ceiling" evolved to denote both the physical overhead surface and metaphorical upper limits (e.g., budget ceilings). The aviation sense emerged in the early 20th century.
The ceiling of the cathedral was painted with intricate frescoes.
The government imposed a price ceiling to control inflation.
The fighter jet reached its operational ceiling of 50,000 feet.
Water stains on the ceiling indicated a leak in the roof.
She stared at the ceiling, lost in thought.