rite

noun

ˈrīt 

1

a

: a prescribed form or manner governing the words or actions for a ceremony

b

: the ceremonial practices of a church or group of churches

2

: a ceremonial act or action

initiation rites

3

: a division of the Christian church using a distinctive liturgy

Synonyms of rite

• ritual
• ceremony

Examples of rite in a Sentence

Incense is often burned in their religious rites.

the annual summer rite of loading up the car for the big family vacation

Recent Examples on the Web

Freedom to hold religious rites in Jerusalem must be ensured for all religions. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026

One of the nation’s oldest and most respected high school baseball showcases, the Lions Tournament has been a rite of spring in San Diego for decades. —John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026

Thus began a rite of spring for the Royals, who remain graced by Perez’s buoyancy and Terminator-like durability. —Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026

One of the central pillars of the American dream is becoming increasingly decoupled from the other key rites of adulthood. —Jake Angelo, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin ritus; akin to Greek arithmos number — more at arithmetic

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing rite

• initiation rite
• rite of passage
• Scottish rite
• York rite

Rhymes for rite

• bight
• bite
• blight
• byte
• cite
• dight
• fight
• fite
• flight
• fright
• height
• hight

Kids Definition

rite

noun

ˈrīt 

1

a

: a fixed form for a ceremony

b

: the ceremonial practices of a church or group of churches

2

: a ceremonial act or action