A procession is a group of people moving forward together in an orderly, deliberate line, usually as part of a ceremony or celebration. When a wedding party walks down the aisle, that's a procession. When graduates march into their ceremony in caps and gowns, they're moving in procession.

Processions often mark important moments. A parade down Main Street is a type of procession, with marching bands, floats, and community groups moving along a planned route. At a funeral, mourners might walk in procession to honor someone who has died. During a coronation, a new king or queen processes through crowds of onlookers.

The word suggests dignity and purpose. People in a procession walk as participants in something meaningful, moving together with intention and awareness. A class of students might process into an assembly, moving together in organized rows rather than wandering in randomly. Religious ceremonies often include processions, like monks walking silently through a monastery or a priest carrying a candle while the congregation follows.

The formality of a procession sets it apart from a crowd or a group simply walking together. When people form a procession, they're creating a shared moment that others can witness and remember.