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

While the Gregorian calendar is used worldwide for official purposes such as government and business, many holidays, festivals and other celebrations and rites still follow traditional lunisolar calendars. —Brett Tingley, Space.com, 29 Jan. 2025

Their voices rang out during the rite of the opening of the doors and filled the air with music as the cathedral's doors swung open with a burst of song for the first time in five years. —NBC News, 7 Dec. 2024

These items were identified as intentionally placed in graves as part of death rites or ceremonies. —Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 22 Nov. 2024

Among the changes, the new rites eliminate the practice of placing the pope on an elevated bier in St. Peter's Basilica for public viewing. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 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