tradition

noun

tra·​di·​tion trə-ˈdi-shən How to pronounce tradition (audio)
1
a
: an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (such as a religious practice or a social custom)
b
: a belief or story or a body of beliefs or stories relating to the past that are commonly accepted as historical though not verifiable
… the bulk of traditions attributed to the Prophet …J. L. Esposito
2
: the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction
3
: cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions
4
: characteristic manner, method, or style
in the best liberal tradition
traditionless adjective

Examples of tradition in a Sentence

One of our town's time-honored traditions is to have an Easter egg hunt the week before Easter. It is their tradition to give thanks before they start eating. There's an office tradition of wearing casual clothes on Fridays. They no longer follow the traditions of their ancestors. We broke with tradition and had goose for Thanksgiving instead of turkey. By tradition, the celebration begins at midnight. They no longer follow tradition. According to tradition, the goddess lies sleeping beneath the mountain.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This suggests either confidence in the modern pace-and-space era breaking tradition, or a reflection of betting behavior more than predictive accuracy. Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025 The White House did not issue a Pride Month proclamation this year — or during Trump’s first administration, reversing a tradition that started in 1999. Andrew Torgan, CNN Money, 22 June 2025 Many came away feeling the mock curtsy had disrespected a long-standing British tradition, and the fact that the queen had died three months earlier no doubt did not help. Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025 In the grand tradition of Bond girls — most notably Ursula Andress as Honey Ryder in 1962's Dr. No — Berry rocked a bikini to make a showstopping entrance on the beach. EW.com, 21 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for tradition

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tradicioun, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French tradicion, from Latin tradition-, traditio action of handing over, tradition — more at treason

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of tradition was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tradition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tradition. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

tradition

noun
tra·​di·​tion trə-ˈdish-ən How to pronounce tradition (audio)
1
: the handing down of information, beliefs, or customs from one generation to another
2
: a belief or custom handed down by tradition
Etymology

Middle English tradicioun "tradition," from early French tradicion (same meaning) and Latin tradition-, traditio "the action of handing over, tradition," — related to treason see Word History at treason

Legal Definition

tradition

noun
tra·​di·​tion
in the civil law of Louisiana : transfer or acquisition of property especially by delivery with intent of both parties to transfer the title
delivery of the act of transfer or use of the right by the owner of the dominant estate constitutes traditionLouisiana Civil Code
Etymology

French, legal transfer

More from Merriam-Webster on tradition

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