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

Here is the schedule schedule for the final day of rites honoring Jimmy Carter, the 39th president, who died Dec. 29. —Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2025

President Jimmy Carter will lie in state for a second day Wednesday after his remains arrived in Washington a day earlier as part of state funeral rites. —Bill Barrow, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025

The Palestinian Authority’s Civil Affairs branch, which handles coordination with Israel, announced on Wednesday evening that Israeli officials had handed over the bodies of the three cousins for funeral rites. —Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025

This is an ancient rite, dating back to the mists of 2014, and rivalries have already grown amiably intense. —Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 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