ritual

1 of 2

adjective

rit·​u·​al ˈri-chə-wəl 

-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

Synonyms

Noun

• custom
• fashion
• habit
• habitude
• pattern
• practice
• practise
• second nature
• trick
• way
• wont

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

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

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

Kids Definition

ritual

1 of 2 adjective

rit·​u·​al ˈrich(ə-)wəl 

ˈrich-əl

1

: of or relating to rites or a ritual

a ritual dance

2

: according to religious law or social custom

ritually

-ē

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 

: any act or practice regularly repeated in a set precise manner for relief of anxiety

obsessive-compulsive rituals