ritual

1 of 2

adjective

rit·​u·​al ˈri-chə-wəl 

-chəl;

ˈrich-wəl

1

: of or relating to rites or a ritual : ceremonial

a ritual dance

2

: according to religious law

ritual purity

3

: done in accordance with social custom or normal protocol

ritual handshakes

ritual background checks

ritually adverb

ritual

2 of 2

noun

1

: the established form for a ceremony

specifically : the order of words prescribed for a religious ceremony

2

a

: ritual observance

specifically : a system of rites

b

: a ceremonial act or action

c

: an act or series of acts regularly repeated in a set precise manner

Synonyms

Noun

• custom
• fashion
• habit
• habitude
• pattern
• practice
• practise
• second nature
• trick
• way
• wont

Examples of ritual in a Sentence

Noun

The priest will perform the ritual.

He was buried simply, without ceremony or ritual.

the daily ritual of preparing breakfast

His day-to-day life is based on ritual.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Memorializing and moving on Even if it’s not recognized by anyone but you, Crossley says, creating some type of memorial or ritual to honor your pet can help with processing the loss, whether that’s creating a planter with their food bowl or saving their collar. —Colleen Grablick, Washington Post, 25 June 2024

Read More: Three Historic Hoaxes That Duped The Masses, Scientists Or Media The Freemasons This illustration of famous Freemasons features George Washington and several other Founding Fathers of the United States, outfitted in the ritual regalia of the order. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2024

Noun

In warmer seasons, the pastors dunked new believers in the Wissahickon Creek, where Anabaptists have been performing the ritual since Christmas Day, 1723. —Eliza Griswold, The New Yorker, 30 June 2024

The core of the spa experience is the menu curated by Amor Garzón, featuring one or multi-day rituals. —Jamie Ditaranto, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin ritualis, from ritus rite

First Known Use

Adjective

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1620, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

ritual

1 of 2 adjective

rit·​u·​al ˈrich(ə-)wəl 

ˈrich-əl

1

: of or relating to rites or a ritual

a ritual dance

2

: according to religious law or social custom

ritually

-ē

adverb

ritual

2 of 2 noun

1

: an established form for a ceremony

2

a

: a system of rites

b

: a ceremonial act or action

c

: a formal and customarily repeated act or series of acts

Medical Definition

ritual

noun

rit·​u·​al ˈrich-(ə-)wəl 

: any act or practice regularly repeated in a set precise manner for relief of anxiety

obsessive-compulsive rituals