ritual

1 of 2

adjective

rit·​u·​al ˈri-chə-wəl How to pronounce ritual (audio)
-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

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Adjective
Denis spent part of her youth in Cameroon, where her father, a colonial administrator, disapproved of colleagues who decorated their homes with ritual masks. Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2024 After a slow burn intro, the ritual commences, summoning an otherworldly spirit that appears to have some kind of connection or fixation on Amy, who is ripped from the library’s darkness into the bright light. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2024
Noun
The merchants of the historic calle at L.A.’s center celebrate with rituals incorporating pre-Columbian, Aztec, Mayan and Catholic traditions surrounding death. Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024 Packed with nourishing vitamin E and botanical oils, this balm transforms your foot care routine into an indulgent, spa-like ritual — reminiscent of a trip to the Allure editor-favorite NYC nail salon. Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ritual 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ritual was in 1570

Dictionary Entries Near ritual

Cite this Entry

“Ritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ritual. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

ritual

1 of 2 adjective
rit·​u·​al ˈrich(ə-)wəl How to pronounce ritual (audio)
ˈrich-əl
1
: of or relating to rites or a ritual
a ritual dance
2
: according to religious law or social custom
ritually
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 How to pronounce ritual (audio)
: any act or practice regularly repeated in a set precise manner for relief of anxiety
obsessive-compulsive rituals

More from Merriam-Webster on ritual

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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