What does processional mean?
A processional is an organized, usually formal procession, most often one connected with a religious ceremony. The term can refer to the movement itself, to the hymn or music performed during it, or, when used as an adjective, to anything belonging to such a procession. Processionals emphasize order, ritual, and ceremony: a congregation may follow a processional into a church, a choir may sing a processional hymn, or ceremonial music may accompany a processional route. In everyday British and American English, the word is much less common than the broader word procession and is especially associated with formal public or religious occasions. Its distinctive sense is therefore not simply that people are moving together, but that their movement has been deliberately organized to mark an event, guide participants, or express shared religious meaning.
An organized procession, especially one associated with a religious ceremony; also a hymn sung during such a procession.
"The congregation joined the processional as it moved toward the altar."
The musical sense is especially associated with church services and ceremonial occasions.
Relating to or forming part of a procession.
"The organ played a solemn processional hymn as the procession entered."
Common in religious, ceremonial, and formal contexts.
Used for distinct processionals, especially different hymns, pieces of music, or ceremonial processions.
"The service included several traditional processionals."
A processional is more than a crowd moving together: it is movement with purpose, order, and ceremony, often turning a route through a building into a shared ritual.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does processional come from?
The word comes through Medieval Latin from Latin processio, meaning a proceeding or advancing, and ultimately from procedere, “to go forward.” The English noun procession developed from the same Latin source, while processional was formed as an adjective meaning “of or relating to a procession” and later came to denote a hymn or musical setting used during one. The root is also reflected in process, procedure, and procedural, all of which share the idea of advancing or being carried through in an ordered way.
Related word forms
How processional is actually used
The noun is especially common in religious, ceremonial, and formal contexts. The adjective processional is also used for music, routes, movements, and participants associated with a procession.
Easily confused with processional
A procession is the organized movement or gathering itself, whereas a processional can refer to the ceremony, its music or hymn, or something forming part of the procession.
Professional means connected with one's occupation or a highly skilled practitioner, while processional means connected with an organized procession or ceremonial movement.