Ceiling Meaning
Ceiling Definition & Usage
The upper interior surface of a room or building, typically horizontal and overhead.
Examples
- "The chandelier hung elegantly from the ceiling, casting a soft glow over the room."
- "I looked up at the cracked ceiling, wondering when it would finally be repaired."
- "The ceiling was painted with intricate designs that made the whole room feel royal."
- "A large hole appeared in the ceiling after the storm, and rainwater leaked through."
- "The children lay on the floor, staring at the spinning fan on the ceiling."
A limit or upper boundary, particularly in terms of pricing, performance, or expectations.
Examples
- "The company has set a ceiling on employee bonuses for this quarter."
- "There is a ceiling on how much money the government can allocate to this project."
- "Due to high demand, the store imposed a ceiling on the number of items customers could purchase."
- "Her performance exceeded the ceiling set by her managers, earning her a promotion."
- "The government has put a ceiling on the amount of pollution that can be released into the environment."
To reach the highest possible limit or boundary in a certain situation or context.
Examples
- "After years of hard work, he finally ceilinged his earnings at $1 million per year."
- "The stock price ceilinged when it hit $50 per share, and it has remained stable ever since."
- "The team's performance ceilinged at the semifinals, leaving fans disappointed."
- "She ceilinged her career by becoming the youngest CEO in the company’s history."
- "The popularity of the app ceilinged after its initial success, with growth slowing dramatically."
Cultural Context
The word 'ceiling' originates from the Latin 'caelum,' meaning sky, which was later adapted in Old French as 'celing,' referring to the upper part of a room or building. It gained broader figurative meanings over time.
The Dream of Reaching the Ceiling
Story
The Dream of Reaching the Ceiling
Julia had always dreamt of becoming the CEO of a major company. From the moment she entered the business world, she understood that the corporate 'ceiling' for women was often unreasonably low. But she didn't let it stop her. Over the years, Julia climbed steadily, never once being deterred by the challenges that others saw as impossible barriers. She knew that with determination, she could break through the glass ceiling that had kept so many others from reaching the top. As she worked her way up, she realized that the real ceiling wasn’t a physical structure, but rather, the limit that people set for themselves and others. One afternoon, Julia stood in the luxurious boardroom of her company, the chandelier above her casting its warm light over the polished wooden table. Her eyes drifted to the ceiling above her, and she smiled to herself. It was here, in this very room, that she had reached her career's peak. She had ceiled her career, outlasting those who thought she wouldn't make it. But this wasn't just about personal success. Julia had spent the past decade setting new ceilings for everyone in her company, pushing the boundaries of innovation and expectations. Later, as she walked out of the building to meet her team, she realized the ceiling above her was no longer a limit. It was a symbol of how far she had come. She had surpassed it. Julia's story wasn't just about breaking barriers, it was about creating new opportunities for others to do the same. And in that, she had truly redefined the meaning of the ceiling.
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