traditional

adjective

tra·​di·​tion·​al trə-ˈdi-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: of or relating to tradition : consisting of or derived from tradition

a traditional celebration

2

: handed down from age to age

traditional history

traditional songs/stories

3

: following or conforming to tradition : adhering to past practices or established conventions

traditional morality

traditional values/beliefs

employing traditional methods of cooking

traditionally adverb

a dish traditionally made with egg yolks, cream, and sugar

a seating area traditionally reserved for the church's leaders

Synonyms

• classical
• conventional
• customary
• prescriptive

Examples of traditional in a Sentence

a traditional Passover meal at his grandparents' house

a family that is very traditional when it comes to institutions like marriage

Recent Examples on the Web

The Japan Times reported that the letters were carved into a wooden pillar of a traditional entrance, known as a torii gate, at the Meiji Shrine. —Arata Yamamoto, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024

That’s well away from most other deer — and hunters, who are focusing on better-looking ground with better traditional habitat hundreds of yards away. —Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024

As Sichuan’s signature spice grows beyond the confines of traditional Chinese cuisine, the question isn’t when to use it, but when not to. —Megan Zhang, Saveur, 13 Nov. 2024

Wages have been stagnant since the 1970s and many traditional working-class jobs have vanished. —Chase Hunter, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing traditional

• anti-traditional
• go/take the traditional route

Kids Definition

traditional

adjective

tra·​di·​tion·​al

trə-ˈdish-nəl,

-ən-ᵊl

1

: handed down from age to age without writing

2

: based on custom

our traditional Thanksgiving dinner

traditionally

-ē

adverb