ritual

1 of 2

adjective

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

ritual

2 of 2

noun

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 of ritual

Noun

• habit
• practice
• trick
• custom
• way
• routine

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

Adjective

Long-standing ritual Space savers became a ritual in Chicago after the record-setting blizzard of January 1967, which blanketed the city with 23 inches of snow, according to numerous accounts. —Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026

In fact, ayurvedic medicine has its own parallel in the form of the ritual usha paana, which involves drinking lukewarm or room-temp water on an empty stomach in the early hours. —Caroline Tien, SELF, 5 Feb. 2026

Noun

Support yourself with a cozy ritual after handling your responsibilities, like eating your favorite food while ensconced in your coziest blanket. —Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026

By the 1960s, environmentalists successfully discontinued the ritual, pointing to the destruction and litter that the practice left in its wake. —Mary Beth Skylis, Outside, 7 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin ritualis, from ritus rite

First Known Use

Adjective

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1620, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ritual

• habitual

Kids 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

-ē

adverb

ritual

2 of 2 noun

1

: 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