A processional is an organized group of people moving forward together in a formal, ceremonial way, often as part of a religious service, celebration, or solemn occasion. Picture a wedding: the bridesmaids, flower girls, and bride walk down the aisle in a specific order while music plays. That's a processional. At graduation ceremonies, students and teachers file into the auditorium in caps and gowns, row by row. During religious services, clergy members might walk through the congregation carrying candles or sacred objects.

A processional requires order, ceremony, and importance. A group of students rushing to lunch isn't a processional, but those same students walking quietly and respectfully into an assembly might be.

As an adjective, processional describes something connected to a procession, like a processional route or processional cross.

The word can also describe the music played during such a march. Many weddings use Pachelbel's Canon or Wagner's “Bridal Chorus” as their processional music. Schools often have a special processional hymn or song for important ceremonies.