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
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
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Mecca Pryor, Essence, 10 Feb. 2025
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Mecca Pryor, Essence, 10 Feb. 2025
Nearly 44 years after Jimmy Carter left the nation’s capital in humbling defeat, the 39th president returns to Washington for three days of state funeral rites starting on Tuesday.
—Bill Barrow, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025
Earlier Iron Age findings in France and Switzerland indicate that horses and dogs were symbolic at the time and were often present in what appears to be sacrificial rituals, funeral rites, and are frequently associated with specific deities from the time.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 26 Dec. 2024
World & Nation Notre Dame’s resurrection: Its chief architect on rebuilding France’s ‘heart’ in 5 years
39 minutes ago
After the door-opening rites, Ulrich will reawaken the giant instrument.
—John Leicester, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rite
Articles Related to rite
Cite this Entry
“Rite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rite. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rite
noun1
a
: a fixed form for a ceremony
b
: the ceremonial practices of a church or group of churches
2
: a ceremonial act or action
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