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

This study builds on earlier anthropology research that found ritual behavior flourished under uncertainty, such as fishermen saying prayers when heading into dangerous seas. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 4 Dec. 2025

And Sister Bernadette, 88, regularly shares sharp-witted observations about matters both sacred and secular over a ritual cup of coffee. —Esme Nicholson, NPR, 1 Dec. 2025

Noun

The holiday special pulls back the curtain on the Christmas traditions Meghan, 44, and Prince Harry, 41, are building in Montecito, complete with sentimental nods, new rituals for Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4 — and a surprise moment between the couple. —Erin Hill, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025

Florido cited a childhood experience during Manila’s frequent power outages as inspiration, recalling watching teenage girls perform a mirror ritual that ended when all their candles extinguished simultaneously. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Dec. 2025

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