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
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Adjective
Archaeologists identified it as an ancient Jewish ritual bath, known as a mikveh, dating back at least 1,400 years. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2025 The Eagles running back, 27, who shares son Saquon Jr., 2, and daughter, Jada, 6, with fiancée Anna Congdon, has a pregame handshake ritual with his children. Kayla Grant, People.com, 6 Feb. 2025
Noun
Listen to this article A Southern University student has died following an off-campus ritual with the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. David Matthews, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2025 Eating Chomps has become a faithful ritual for an average day. Andrew Watman, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Ritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ritual. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

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

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