ritual

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

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

Examples of ritual in a Sentence

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

Those looking for a special Saturday ritual will delight in the seasonal tea that takes place in the lobby lounge for parties of six or less. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 June 2026

Stulberg recommends small rituals, like a deep breath or short phrase, to interrupt automatic emotional reactions and give yourself a chance to choose a better response. —Elise Devlin, New York Times, 3 June 2026

The estate is home to peacocks and farm animals that kids can meet, and the winery extends the tasting ritual to the under-21 crowd with grape juice samples so kids can join in the fun. —Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 June 2026

So much of the ritual of sports is enacted in the past and future tense. —Kyle Wagner, New York Daily News, 3 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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