Rite
/raɪt/
Definitions
A prescribed, often religious, ceremony or custom.
/raɪt/
A formal or ceremonial act or procedure prescribed or customary in religious or other solemn contexts.
The ancient Egyptians performed elaborate rites to honor their gods.
💡 Simply: Imagine a special celebration or event with a specific set of rules. That's like a rite! Like, the steps for a wedding, with the vows and the ring.
👶 For kids: A special thing people do, like a dance or a song, for a special reason.
More Examples
The initiation rite marked his acceptance into the secret society.
The wedding ceremony is a significant rite of passage for the couple.
How It's Used
"The baptism is an important rite in the Christian faith."
"Anthropologists study the rites of passage in various cultures."
Idioms & expressions
rites of passage
Ceremonies or rituals marking important stages in a person's life, such as birth, puberty, marriage, or death.
"Coming of age ceremonies are important rites of passage in many cultures."
From Latin *ritus* meaning "ceremony, custom, religious practice." The word's development traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root *h₂re- meaning "to count, arrange, think." It reflects the importance of established practices in religious and social contexts.
The word "rite" has been in English since the 13th century, evolving from its Latin roots. Its use has remained consistent in describing religious and ceremonial practices.
Memory tip
Think of the "right" way to do something special or important, like a wedding or a funeral. A rite is a set of specific steps for a special occasion.