tradition

noun

tra·​di·​tion trə-ˈdi-shən 

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

trə-ˈdi-shən-ləs 

adjective

Synonyms

• convention
• custom
• heritage
• prescription
• rubric
• rule

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

In June, the lodge will welcome Dry Fly Saloon, its on-site restaurant, serving hearty breakfasts and dinners inspired by Montana’s culinary traditions. —Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2025

More and more people are adjusting tradition to find something that suits them better. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025

The weeklong beach vacation is a longstanding tradition in many Southern families. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 May 2025

Here is how students are preserving the traditions Last month, the Trump administration threatened to cancel medical research funds and to pull the accreditation of universities that have diversity and inclusion programs or boycott Israeli companies. —Chris Lau, CNN Money, 29 May 2025

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

Phrases Containing tradition

• carry on the tradition
• counter-tradition
• oral tradition
• steeped in tradition

Rhymes for tradition

• addition
• admission
• ambition
• attrition
• audition
• clinician
• cognition
• coition
• commission
• condition
• contrition
• dentition

Kids Definition

tradition

noun

tra·​di·​tion trə-ˈdish-ən 

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 tradition

—Louisiana Civil Code

Etymology

French, legal transfer