rite

noun

ˈrīt 

1

a

: a prescribed form or manner governing the words or actions for a ceremony

b

: the ceremonial practices of a church or group of churches

2

: a ceremonial act or action

initiation rites

3

: a division of the Christian church using a distinctive liturgy

Synonyms

• ceremonial
• ceremony
• form
• formality
• observance
• ritual
• solemnity

Examples of rite in a Sentence

Incense is often burned in their religious rites.

the annual summer rite of loading up the car for the big family vacation

Recent Examples on the Web

Part 2, on Sunday, is an inaugural Mass, with special rites to consecrate the main altar. —John Leicester, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024

Lacking a central authority comparable to, say, the Vatican’s governance of the Catholic Church, Jews of different denominations have developed diverging rules and rites around what makes a valid conversion. —Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024

This is why rites, rituals and ceremonies are important. —John C. Goodman, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024

The only hitch is getting the approval of Ming’s business partner, Master Man Kwok (Hui), a Taoist priest whose unparalleled reputation for performing funeral rites is equaled only by his strict observance of tradition. —Richard Kuipers, Variety, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin ritus; akin to Greek arithmos number — more at arithmetic

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing rite

• initiation rite
• rite of passage
• Scottish rite
• York rite

Kids Definition

rite

noun

ˈrīt 

1

a

: a fixed form for a ceremony

b

: the ceremonial practices of a church or group of churches

2

: a ceremonial act or action