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
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
The incident underscored growing tensions between health officials enforcing strict Ebola containment measures and local customs surrounding funerals and burial rites.
—
Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
Response clashes with local customs The efforts of health officials and aid groups have met with pushback from communities due to misinformation or situations where medical policy has clashed with local customs such as burial rites.
—Justin Kabumba, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
In a better world, Altman might emerge from this humiliating rite with some genuine humility.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 20 May 2026
Fashion is filled with seasons — spring, summer, cruise, couture and, for the financially inclined, the quarterly rite of earnings season, which is currently in full swing.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rite
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Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
Response clashes with local customs The efforts of health officials and aid groups have met with pushback from communities due to misinformation or situations where medical policy has clashed with local customs such as burial rites.
—Justin Kabumba, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
In a better world, Altman might emerge from this humiliating rite with some genuine humility.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 20 May 2026
Fashion is filled with seasons — spring, summer, cruise, couture and, for the financially inclined, the quarterly rite of earnings season, which is currently in full swing.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rite
Cite this Entry
“Rite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rite. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rite
noun1
a
: a fixed form for a ceremony
b
: the ceremonial practices of a church or group of churches
2
: a ceremonial act or action
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