procession

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "procession" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a group of individuals moving together in an organized manner, often for a ceremonial purpose. Example: "The annual parade featured a grand procession of floats and performers celebrating the city's heritage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The picnic began early in the morning, and the long procession of children was led to the as-yet-unopened municipality office to dispose of their loads.

The Guardian

He will present a three-hour special starting on BBC1 at 9.15am with the funeral procession leaving the Palace of Westminster to the end of the service at St Paul's Cathedral.

The Guardian

Long-distance buses in Ethiopia mostly leave at five or six o'clock in the morning (which confusingly is 11 or 12 o'clock Ethiopian time) and for the price of a ticket, government-run buses throw in an elaborate pre-departure ritual including a procession around the bus, led by the conductor.

The Guardian - Travel

Those of us who live in the Peak park think of it as a peaceful place - as witness Dovedale, which is tranquil even when, in the summer, a regular procession of tourists walk the river bank or make the perilous crossing on the stepping stones.

The Guardian - Travel

Today's front pages are just a procession of endless, needy, high-pitched partisan wailing, trapped deep inside an impossible circlejerk of negative feedback.

The Guardian

The contrast between Saab's genuinely diverse front row, where all skin and hair colours are represented, and the catwalk procession of white skin and blonde chignons, is marked.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Rita led the procession of national religious leaders, feeling astonished that a working-class girl from a Cardiff council estate could be representing a world religion at a state occasion.

The Guardian

She declared her love for the then scandal-hit prime minister after his separation from Veronica Lario in 2009 and, she said, gritted her teeth while he entertained a procession of attractive young women at Arcore.

The Guardian

On Monday, accident victims joined a procession through the streets of the capital to raise awareness of road safety.

The Guardian

In April of 2004, thousands of men in Confederate gray and Union blue as well as women in black hoop skirts and veils walked in a procession with the crew's coffins from Charleston's waterfront battery to Magnolia cemetery.

The Guardian

And you!" through a megaphone at a procession of delighted passersby.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a formal or ceremonial event, consider using "procession" to convey a sense of order and solemnity. For example, "The funeral procession moved slowly through the streets."

Common error

Be mindful of the specific context. "Procession" implies a structured and orderly movement. If the movement is chaotic or disorganized, consider using a term like "crowd" or "stream" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "procession" is as a noun, typically referring to an ordered group of people or things moving together. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is used to describe structured movements, such as funeral processions or ceremonial parades.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "procession" is a grammatically sound noun that frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes an orderly and structured movement, often with ceremonial or solemn connotations. While substitutes like "parade" or "march" exist, "procession" carries a specific sense of formality. The best practice is to use "procession" when emphasizing the ordered nature of a movement, avoiding it when describing disorganized crowds. Its prevalence in reputable sources ensures its reliability and effectiveness in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

parade

Implies a celebratory or public display, often with music and elaborate costumes.

cavalcade

Suggests a formal procession, often of vehicles or people on horseback.

march

Suggests a deliberate and often purposeful walk, sometimes for protest or demonstration.

progression

Highlights the act of moving forward or advancing in a structured manner.

motorcade

Specifically refers to a procession of motor vehicles.

entourage

Refers to a group of people accompanying an important person.

retinue

Indicates a group of attendants or followers accompanying someone of importance.

sequence

Indicates an ordered series of events or actions.

file

Refers to a line of people walking one behind the other.

train

Implies a line of people or vehicles following one after another.

FAQs

How can I use "procession" in a sentence?

You can use "procession" to describe a group of people or things moving forward in an orderly or ceremonial manner. For example: "The wedding procession made its way to the church".

What is a good substitute for "procession"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "parade", "march", or "cavalcade". Each of these words implies a slightly different type of movement or event.

Is it correct to use "procession" to describe a series of events?

Yes, "procession" can also refer to a series of events occurring in sequence, although it's more commonly used to describe a group of people or things moving together.

What distinguishes a "procession" from a simple crowd?

A "procession" implies order, purpose, and often ceremony, whereas a crowd is simply a large gathering of people without necessarily any specific organization or shared objective. A "parade" is a type of procession.