Ritual
/ˈrɪtʃuəl/
Definitions
2 meaningsA set of actions, often prescribed, performed as part of a ceremony or tradition.
/ˈrɪtʃuəl/
A set of actions performed, typically for religious or cultural reasons.
The morning prayer is an important ritual for many people.
💡 Simply: Imagine you always do the same things every morning: brush your teeth, make coffee, and read the news. These are like your personal rituals! It's a set of actions you repeat regularly.
👶 For kids: A ritual is like a special way of doing something that people do over and over again, like a special dance or song.
More Examples
The company has a ritual of celebrating significant milestones with a special dinner.
Every year, the tribe performs a harvest ritual to ensure a good crop.
How It's Used
"The baptism is a significant ritual in Christianity."
"The tea ceremony is a Japanese cultural ritual."
Of or relating to rituals; characterized by prescribed actions and formalities.
/ˈrɪtʃuəl/
Relating to or characterized by rituals; ceremonial.
The religious ceremony involved ritual clothing and chanting.
💡 Simply: Think of something that's 'ritual-like' or 'ceremonial.' Like, your favorite coffee shop having a ritualistic process to make your drink, it's really well-defined and organized!
👶 For kids: When something is ritual, it means it's like a special way of doing something that has special rules.
More Examples
She followed a ritual diet to maintain her health.
The team performed a ritual dance before each game.
How It's Used
"The wedding was a ritual event, full of symbolism."
"His eating habits have become ritualistic."
Synonyms
Ceremony
Custom
Observance
Practice
Rite
Ceremonial
Conventional
Formal
Prescribed
Idioms & expressions
go through the rituals
To perform the actions that are expected or required.
"Before making a decision, the committee had to go through the rituals of consulting all members."
a baptism by fire
A harsh or difficult initial experience; an introduction to something challenging or dangerous.
"His first week on the job was a baptism by fire."
From Latin *ritualis* ('relating to religious rites'), derived from *ritus* ('rite, ceremony'). It entered English in the late 16th century, initially used in a religious context.
Used since the 16th century, initially in reference to religious practices, later expanding to other ceremonial contexts.
Memory tip
Think of a 'rite' (a related word). A ritual is the organized performance of these rites.