'ceiling' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'celyng', where 'ceil' meant 'to cover' and '-ing' was a suffix used to form nouns.

'celyng' transformed into the modern English word 'ceiling' through gradual phonetic changes.

Initially, it meant 'to cover or panel a room,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the upper interior surface of a room.'