# ceiling

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈsiːlɪŋ/ · frequency rank #5,302

## Definitions
1. The overhead closure of a room.
2. The upper limit of an object or action.
3. The highest altitude at which an aircraft can safely maintain flight.
4. The measurement of visible distance from ground or sea level to an overcast cloud cover; under a clear sky, the ceiling measurement is identified as "unlimited."
5. The smallest integer greater than or equal to a given number.
6. The inner planking of a vessel.
7. The maximum permitted level in a financial transaction.
8. The overhead interior surface that covers the upper limits of a room.

## Etymology
From Middle English celing (“paneling; (bed) cover or hanging”), from celen (“to cover or panel walls”) (from Old French celer (“to conceal”)) + -ing (gerund-forming suffix). By surface analysis, ceil + -ing.

## Easily confused with
- **cling** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ceiling-vs-cling)
- **citing** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ceiling-vs-citing)
- **Celine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ceiling-vs-celine)
- **cycling** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ceiling-vs-cycling)
- **cooling** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ceiling-vs-cooling)
- **curling** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ceiling-vs-curling)
- **culling** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ceiling-vs-culling)
- **chiming** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ceiling-vs-chiming)
- **coining** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ceiling-vs-coining)
- **chilling** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ceiling-vs-chilling)
- **sealing** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ceiling-vs-sealing)
- **ceding** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ceding-vs-ceiling)
- **calling** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/calling-vs-ceiling)
- **ceasing** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ceasing-vs-ceiling)
- **cabling** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cabling-vs-ceiling)

## Common misspellings (10)
`cceiling`, `ceiilng`, `ceilign`, `ceilingg`, `ceilinng`, `ceilling`, `ceilnig`, `celiing`, `cieling`, `eciling`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/ceiling