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
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
In 2019, the Egyptian government granted Hana an exclusive contract to certify beef exports to that country as complying with halal religious rules — though Hana, a Coptic Christian, had no experience with Muslim slaughterhouse rites.
—
Shayna Jacobs, Washington Post, 16 July 2024
In Baltimore, rites of spring are abundant: There’s the blooming of the cherry blossoms at Fort McHenry, the reopening of snowball stands, Orioles Opening Day, lemon sticks at Flower Mart, the hordes of people gathering to see the tulips at Sherwood Gardens.
—Amanda Yeager, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2024
The Health Safety Checklist Your College-Bound Teen Needs Quinceanera
In the Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central and South American traditions, 15-year-old identifying girls go through a semi-religious rite and celebration to mark their coming of age.
—Jennifer O'Donnell, Parents, 8 July 2024
Regional papers subsequently said that more than 300,000 people had been barred from performing the rites as a result.
—Magdy Samaan, CNN, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for rite 
Shayna Jacobs, Washington Post, 16 July 2024
In Baltimore, rites of spring are abundant: There’s the blooming of the cherry blossoms at Fort McHenry, the reopening of snowball stands, Orioles Opening Day, lemon sticks at Flower Mart, the hordes of people gathering to see the tulips at Sherwood Gardens.
—Amanda Yeager, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2024
The Health Safety Checklist Your College-Bound Teen Needs Quinceanera
In the Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central and South American traditions, 15-year-old identifying girls go through a semi-religious rite and celebration to mark their coming of age.
—Jennifer O'Donnell, Parents, 8 July 2024
Regional papers subsequently said that more than 300,000 people had been barred from performing the rites as a result.
—Magdy Samaan, CNN, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for rite
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Rite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rite. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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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