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

Celebrating love is universal, but the exact rites and rituals vary. —Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026

The Masters is golf's rite of spring. —ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026

Amid what seems like constant change in golf, the Masters brings a degree of normalcy as golf's rite of spring and for many, the true opening week of the sport. —Doug Ferguson, Dallas Morning News, 7 Apr. 2026

Early Christian baptisms more commonly involved two anointings before and after the rite — which makes the three-part design particularly unusual. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 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