coronation
Americannoun
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the act or ceremony of crowning a king, queen, or other sovereign.
noun
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the act or ceremony of crowning a monarch
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of coronation
1350–1400; Middle English coronacio ( u ) n < Anglo-French coronation < Latin coronāt ( us ) crowned ( see coronate) + Middle French -ion- -ion
A coronation is the ceremony when a new King (or Queen, let's not be sexist) is officially installed. A coronation is usually quite glitzy and full of pomp. A coronation is the public handing over of title and powers to a new monarch. Other almost identical terms are enthronement and investiture. The term coronation is also sometimes used in a light-hearted, though sometimes sarcastic way, to describe the ascension of famous non-royal people who have achieved a particular level of public status — such as pop stars, politicians or celebrities. Coronation is derived from the Latin word corona, meaning "crown."
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And for months no other country even considered a challenge, making the United Bid’s selection appear to be more a coronation than a vote.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026
The Crown is a famous symbol of the monarchy and was worn by King Charles III as he left Westminster Abbey on his coronation day in 2023.
From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026
See the dress the 27-year-old Elizabeth wore at her coronation in 1953.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
It’s worth noting the S&P index only updates its constituents once a year, in late January, so the stock may have to wait a while longer for its official coronation.
From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026
It must have grown up silently, yet swiftly as a flag rises when you pull it up on a flagstaff, while they were all busied about the coronation.
From "The Magician's Nephew" by C. S. Lewis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.