procession |prəˈsɛʃ(ə)n|
noun
1 a number of people or vehicles moving forward in an orderly fashion, esp. as part of a ceremony or festival : a funeral procession.
• the action of moving forward in such a way : the fully robed civic dignitaries walk in procession.
• figurative a relentless succession of people or things : his path was paved by a procession of industry executives.
2 Theology the emanation of the Holy Spirit.
ORIGIN late Old English , via Old French from Latin processio(n-), from procedere ‘move forward’ (see proceed ).