rit·u·al
ˈri-chə-wəl 
-chəl;
ˈrich-wəl
1
: of or relating to rites or a ritual : ceremonial
a ritual dance
2
: according to religious law
ritual purity
3
: done in accordance with social custom or normal protocol
ritual handshakes
ritual background checks
ritually
adverb
1
: the established form for a ceremony
specifically
: the order of words prescribed for a religious ceremony
2
a
: ritual observance
specifically
: a system of rites
b
: a ceremonial act or action
c
: an act or series of acts regularly repeated in a set precise manner
Synonyms
Examples of ritual in a Sentence
Noun
The priest will perform the ritual.
He was buried simply, without ceremony or ritual.
the daily ritual of preparing breakfast
His day-to-day life is based on ritual.
Recent Examples on the Web
Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2024
This year’s presidential election, then, is not just a ritual exercise validating another six years under Putin.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2024
If the bill passes, Utah would be the first state in decades to enact a law codifying ritual abuse.
—Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News, 23 Feb. 2024
Unlike previous comments, however, the latest White House statement made no mention of Oct. 7 nor the by-now ritual defense of Israel’s right to respond to Hamas.
—Peter Baker, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
But to that list, a lot of us would add the ritual, stretching past 50 years now, of Bruce Springsteen in concert.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Mar. 2024
Its premiere begins with Blackthorne’s ship emerging out of the fog as the ocean sprays over the jagged rocks surrounding a small fishing village, and many scenes—including one of the first to feature Sanada’s Toranaga—hinge on the possibility of seppuku, the ritual suicide that samurai perform.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2024
On the same night, everywhere in the world where there are Jews, the ritual meal takes place, though the food and flavors differ according to the local culture.
—Kate Maxwell Lindsey Tramuta Reggie Nadelson Gisela Williams Roxanne Fequiere Siska Lyssens, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
But the best scalp massagers—small, ergonomically shaped tools intended to reach through strands and knead the scalp—can make a DIY ritual simple and accessible but no less comforting, with benefits for both the scalp and hair to be had as a result.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2024
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Apr. 2024
Mariko's seemingly impending suicide is by no means the series' first depiction of that type of ritual, as a number of characters throughout the season have either volunteered or threatened to commit suicide—and a few have actually gone through with it.
—Megan McCluskey, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024
In October, the Diocese of Stockton issued a warning about two men who had assumed the identities of real priests in Toluca, Mexico, and were charging mostly immigrant parishioners exorbitant fees to perform impromptu rituals: baptisms, confirmations, first Communions.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
Advertisement In Miami, church officials recently warned the faithful about fake priests performing bogus rituals in exchange for iTunes gift cards loaded with cash.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
This convergence, a rare occurrence last witnessed in 1803, is poised to paint the landscape with the buzzing symphony of billions — maybe even trillions — of winged insects engaged in their raucous mating rituals.
—The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
In fact, Norton has no interest in telling you which rituals are worth adopting—that part is up to you.
—Grace McCarty, SELF, 11 Apr. 2024
An elevation of one of the world’s favorite classic cocktails to a true icon and ritual that makes people cross oceans to enjoy this experience.
—Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Apr. 2024
Practitioners of Santeria also trace historical ties to chanting rituals performed during a solar eclipse.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
Adjective
And part of that is ritual; part of that is just the distance between places and the way people move.
—Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2024
This year’s presidential election, then, is not just a ritual exercise validating another six years under Putin.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2024
If the bill passes, Utah would be the first state in decades to enact a law codifying ritual abuse.
—Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News, 23 Feb. 2024
Unlike previous comments, however, the latest White House statement made no mention of Oct. 7 nor the by-now ritual defense of Israel’s right to respond to Hamas.
—Peter Baker, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
But to that list, a lot of us would add the ritual, stretching past 50 years now, of Bruce Springsteen in concert.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Mar. 2024
Its premiere begins with Blackthorne’s ship emerging out of the fog as the ocean sprays over the jagged rocks surrounding a small fishing village, and many scenes—including one of the first to feature Sanada’s Toranaga—hinge on the possibility of seppuku, the ritual suicide that samurai perform.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2024
On the same night, everywhere in the world where there are Jews, the ritual meal takes place, though the food and flavors differ according to the local culture.
—Kate Maxwell Lindsey Tramuta Reggie Nadelson Gisela Williams Roxanne Fequiere Siska Lyssens, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
But the best scalp massagers—small, ergonomically shaped tools intended to reach through strands and knead the scalp—can make a DIY ritual simple and accessible but no less comforting, with benefits for both the scalp and hair to be had as a result.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2024
Noun
The ancient Greeks performed similar rituals at other events but did not stage a torch relay for the Olympics.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Apr. 2024
Mariko's seemingly impending suicide is by no means the series' first depiction of that type of ritual, as a number of characters throughout the season have either volunteered or threatened to commit suicide—and a few have actually gone through with it.
—Megan McCluskey, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024
In October, the Diocese of Stockton issued a warning about two men who had assumed the identities of real priests in Toluca, Mexico, and were charging mostly immigrant parishioners exorbitant fees to perform impromptu rituals: baptisms, confirmations, first Communions.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
Advertisement In Miami, church officials recently warned the faithful about fake priests performing bogus rituals in exchange for iTunes gift cards loaded with cash.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
This convergence, a rare occurrence last witnessed in 1803, is poised to paint the landscape with the buzzing symphony of billions — maybe even trillions — of winged insects engaged in their raucous mating rituals.
—The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
In fact, Norton has no interest in telling you which rituals are worth adopting—that part is up to you.
—Grace McCarty, SELF, 11 Apr. 2024
An elevation of one of the world’s favorite classic cocktails to a true icon and ritual that makes people cross oceans to enjoy this experience.
—Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Apr. 2024
Practitioners of Santeria also trace historical ties to chanting rituals performed during a solar eclipse.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ritual.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ritual
Cite this Entry
“Ritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ritual. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ritual
1 of 2 adjective
rit·u·al
ˈrich(ə-)wəl
ˈrich-əl
1
: of or relating to rites or a ritual
a ritual dance
2
: according to religious law or social custom
ritually
adverb
-ē
ritual
2 of 2 noun1
: an established form for a ceremony
2
a
: a system of rites
b
: a ceremonial act or action
c
: a formal and customarily repeated act or series of acts
Medical Definition
ritual
noun
rit·u·al
ˈrich-(ə-)wəl
: any act or practice regularly repeated in a set precise manner for relief of anxiety
obsessive-compulsive rituals
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