coronation

noun

cor·​o·​na·​tion ˌkȯr-ə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce coronation (audio)
ˌkär-
: the act or occasion of crowning
also : accession to the highest office

Examples of coronation in a Sentence

the coronation of Queen Elizabeth
Recent Examples on the Web In March, Putin is running for a fifth term in office but the election will, in reality, be a de facto coronation. Alexander Smith, NBC News, 29 Feb. 2024 Whether the Oscars can generate greater enthusiasm for what now looks like a coronation remains to be seen, but the hope springs eternal. Brian Lowry, CNN, 26 Feb. 2024 As the ranks of the royals have thinned, William’s family has come to the foreground at events like the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of Charles. Mark Landler, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2024 Also on view is a 19th-century wand topped with a silver unicorn, which was produced around the time of George IV’s coronation in 1821. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Jan. 2024 The Gloucesters had prominent spots at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022, the coronation of King Charles in May 2023 and the first Trooping the Colour of the new reign last summer. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 22 Feb. 2024 The surname switch from Mountbatten-Windsor to Sussex stems back to the coronation of King Charles. Elise Taylor, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2024 The Times also reported that Harry and Meghan adopted the Sussex surname for their children after Charles’ coronation. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2024 In a massive comedown for a Bolts team that two Sundays earlier had won the AFC championship at Pittsburgh in an upset, Super Bowl XXIX served as a coronation for a Niners franchise that became the first to win five Lombardi Trophies. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coronation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English coronacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French coronacion, borrowed from Medieval Latin corōnātiōn-, corōnātiō (Late Latin, "wreathing"), from Latin corōnare "to deck with flowers, wreathe, crown entry 2" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of coronation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near coronation

Cite this Entry

“Coronation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coronation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

coronation

noun
cor·​o·​na·​tion ˌkȯr-ə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce coronation (audio)
ˌkär-
: the act or ceremony of crowning a king or queen

More from Merriam-Webster on coronation

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