English can be a tricky language when it comes to words that sound similar but have different meanings. One such pair that often confuses people is procession and processional. You might hear both terms in church ceremonies, graduations, or parades, but they are not interchangeable. Understanding the difference between these two words is important for using them correctly in speech and writing. While procession refers to the actual event or movement of people, processional is usually used as an adjective or noun related to that event. Let’s explore the difference between the two in detail.
Understanding the Word Procession
The word procession is a noun that describes a group of people or vehicles moving forward in an orderly, ceremonial, or formal manner. It is often used in contexts such as religious ceremonies, funerals, parades, or special celebrations. The term comes from the Latin word processio, which means a going forth.
A procession is the actual event of movement – the act of walking, marching, or traveling in a line or sequence. It focuses on the people involved and their organized movement from one place to another. For example, you might hear someone say, The wedding procession entered the church or The funeral procession moved slowly down the street.
Examples of Procession in Sentences
- The royal procession attracted thousands of onlookers along the main street.
- A solemn procession of monks moved silently through the monastery.
- The graduation procession began as the students walked into the auditorium.
- After the ceremony, the procession continued toward the town square.
In each of these examples, procession refers to a formal or ceremonial movement involving people or vehicles.
Exploring the Word Processional
Processional can serve as both an adjective and a noun, depending on how it is used in a sentence. As an adjective, it describes something related to or suitable for a procession. For example, processional music means the type of music played during a procession. As a noun, it can refer to a piece of music used during such an event or even a book that contains the order of processions used in church ceremonies.
Processional as an Adjective
When used as an adjective, processional modifies nouns such as music, path, or march. It emphasizes the connection to a formal or ceremonial procession.
- The choir began to sing a processional hymn as the bride entered the church.
- The students walked down the processional aisle during the ceremony.
- The event started with a processional march played by the orchestra.
Here, processional adds descriptive meaning, indicating that these items or actions are part of a procession or suitable for one.
Processional as a Noun
When used as a noun, processional typically refers to the specific piece of music played during a procession. In religious or ceremonial settings, the processional often marks the beginning of an important event, such as a wedding or a church service.
- The organist played a beautiful processional at the start of the wedding.
- The graduation began with a solemn processional followed by the national anthem.
- The processional set the tone for the rest of the ceremony.
In each of these examples, processional functions as a noun meaning the musical or ceremonial introduction to a formal event.
Key Differences Between Procession and Processional
Although both words come from the same root and are related to ceremonial movement, their grammatical roles and meanings differ. The distinction is primarily between an event and a description of that event. Understanding this difference helps avoid confusion in writing and speaking.
- ProcessionA noun referring to the actual movement or event of people or vehicles moving together in an organized way.
- ProcessionalAn adjective or noun describing something connected to or used during a procession, such as music or the route.
In simple terms, the procession is what happens, while the processional is what accompanies or describes it.
When to Use Procession
You should use procession when you are referring to the event itself or the act of people moving together. For example
- The funeral procession slowly moved toward the cemetery.
- They watched the colorful procession pass through the city streets.
- The priest led the procession from the back of the church to the altar.
In each case, the focus is on the people or vehicles moving as part of a ceremonial or organized event.
When to Use Processional
Use processional when describing something associated with a procession or when referring to the music played during it. For instance
- The processional hymn filled the cathedral as the clergy entered.
- They rehearsed the processional several times before the ceremony began.
- Guests stood as the processional music began to play.
If you are describing an object, sound, or movement that relates to the act of procession, processional is the correct choice.
Common Contexts for Procession and Processional
Both terms are commonly used in religious, academic, and ceremonial settings. Understanding where each term fits can make your language more precise and natural.
In Religious Ceremonies
In churches, a procession often involves clergy and choir members moving toward the altar at the beginning or end of a service. The accompanying music is called a processional hymn. For example, during Easter or Christmas services, there might be a special processional to celebrate the occasion.
In Weddings
At weddings, the term wedding procession refers to the entry of the bridal party, including bridesmaids, groomsmen, and the bride herself. The wedding processional, on the other hand, is the song or instrumental piece played as they walk down the aisle.
In Academic Events
During graduations or commencement ceremonies, students and faculty often enter in a formal procession. The graduation processional is the piece of music – often Pomp and Circumstance – that plays as they walk in.
In Public Parades
In civic or cultural parades, the word procession describes the entire event, where groups march, dance, or drive through the streets. However, processional might be used to describe the order or arrangement of participants, such as processional route or processional lineup.
How to Remember the Difference Easily
A simple way to remember the difference between procession and processional is to focus on what each word describes
- If you are talking about themovement of people or vehicles, useprocession.
- If you are describingsomething related to that movement– like music, paths, or the order – useprocessional.
This distinction is similar to the difference between ceremony and ceremonial. The first describes the event, while the second describes something connected to or used in the event.
In summary, the difference between procession and processional lies in their grammatical function and meaning. Procession refers to the formal movement or march itself – the event you see. Processional, meanwhile, describes anything associated with that movement, especially the music or items used during it. Understanding how to use both terms correctly will make your language clearer and more precise, particularly in contexts like religious services, weddings, and graduations. So the next time you’re writing or speaking about such an event, remember the people move in the procession, and the music that guides them is the processional.