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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Videos of the fun nightly ritual were shared widely on TikTok and other social media platforms throughout the tour. Aaron Rasmussen, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024 For the ritual, other participants and I dressed in traditional attire and were led through the experience, including a blessing with holy and coconut water. Ryan Smith, Travel + Leisure, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
The rituals were simple yet effective—small acts of self-care that made the transition from the stress of the day to the serenity of the night feel seamless. Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 30 Dec. 2024 Earlier research shows Neanderthals engaged in cultural rituals such as ornamental crafting, cave wall art, and even familial and social funeral burials. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 26 Dec. 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 4 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

ritual

1 of 2 adjective
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

: 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!