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

• 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

First introduced in 2003, the return of the PSL has become an annual rite of late summer since Starbucks introduced the drink. —Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025

The rite introduced private confession to a priest, who ritually represents both Christ and the wider church. —Timothy Gabrielli, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2025

As Black instruments were confiscated and burned, the new Caribbeans would abandon their plantations to perform secret rites in the forests, or remake their tools entirely. —Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 23 Aug. 2025

The flyer found at the synagogue, Nisanov said, referred to bris, the Jewish rite of circumcision. —Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 20 Aug. 2025

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