rite
Americannoun
-
a formal or ceremonial act or procedure prescribed or customary in religious or other solemn use.
rites of baptism; sacrificial rites.
- Synonyms:
- usage, form, observance
-
a particular form or system of religious or other ceremonial practice.
the Roman rite.
-
(often initial capital letter) a liturgy or liturgical system, especially one of the historical versions of the Eucharistic service.
the Anglican Rite.
-
(sometimes initial capital letter) a division or differentiation of churches based on liturgical practice.
-
any customary observance or practice.
the rite of afternoon tea.
noun
-
a formal act or procedure prescribed or customary in religious ceremonies
fertility rites
the rite of baptism
-
a particular body of such acts or procedures, esp of a particular Christian Church
the Latin rite
-
a Christian Church
the Greek rite
Related Words
See ceremony.
Other Word Forms
- riteless adjective
- ritelessness noun
Etymology
Origin of rite
1275–1325; Middle English (< Old French rit ( e )) < Latin rītus
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Currently, learning to tie a tie for secondary school is almost a rite of passage in the UK.
From BBC
"It's almost a rite of passage before they ditch you and go and have more fun with their friends," he jokes.
From BBC
The "ice facial" has become a social media rite of passage and is half beauty hack, half endurance challenge.
From BBC
It is almost a rite of passage for a successful England team to first suffer a chastening Calcutta Cup loss at Murrayfield.
From Barron's
The solemn rite of turning your phone sideways to watch and record video will die.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
