tradition

noun tra·di·tion \ trə-ˈdi-shən \

Updated on: 3 Dec 2017

Definition of tradition

1 a : an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (such as a religious practice or a social custom)

b : a belief or story or a body of beliefs or stories relating to the past that are commonly accepted as historical though not verifiable

… the bulk of traditions attributed to the Prophet …
—J. L. Esposito

2 : the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction

3 : cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions

4 : characteristic manner, method, or style

in the best liberal tradition

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traditional

play \-ˈdish-nəl, -ˈdi-shə-nᵊl\ adjective

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traditionally

adverb

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traditionless

play \-ˈdi-shən-ləs\ adjective

See tradition defined for English-language learners

See tradition defined for kids

Examples of tradition in a Sentence

One of our town's time-honored traditions is to have an Easter egg hunt the week before Easter.
It is their tradition to give thanks before they start eating.
There's an office tradition of wearing casual clothes on Fridays.
They no longer follow the traditions of their ancestors.
We broke with tradition and had goose for Thanksgiving instead of turkey.
By tradition, the celebration begins at midnight.
They no longer follow tradition.
According to tradition, the goddess lies sleeping beneath the mountain.

Recent Examples of tradition from the Web

See, smell, touch, taste and hear Christmas traditions from the Civil War era.

— anne kniggendorf, kansascity, "Looking for holiday decorating ideas? Find them on homes tours," 3 Nov. 2017
The Kiwanis Club of Carlsbad will continue its more than 25-year tradition of hosting a pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon featuring pancakes, sausage and berries with whipped cream at the Carlsbad railroad depot.

— linda mcintosh, sandiegouniontribune.com, "41st year for Carlsbad Village Faire," 2 Nov. 2017
Hers was a household steeped in southern traditions that emphasized values such as faith, family and hard work.

— Essence.com, "Natural Born Leader: Odyssey Media CEO Linda Spradley Dunn Is Making Sure Women Of Color Call The Shots," 30 Oct. 2017
Even once-innocent Halloween traditions are no longer safe.

— kenzie bryant, vanityfair.com, "Donald Trump Congratulates Trick Or Treaters for Not Having "Weight Problems"," 27 Oct. 2017
Her aunt [Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney] had created the Whitney Museum, so there was a long tradition in my house of going to museums and looking at art.

— thomas marks, Town & Country, "How Anderson Cooper and His Partner Benjamin Maisani Built Their Art Collection," 27 Oct. 2017
Set in Tehran during the final stretch of the Iran-Iraq war, this film blends tradition thriller elements with the real-life horrors of oppression and war.

— laura bradley, HWD, "27 Streaming Horror Movies That Are Even Scarier Than 2017," 25 Oct. 2017
Continuing a Campbell County entertainment tradition required rethinking the business of a roller rink, owner Kelly Danner said.

— chris mayhew, Cincinnati.com, "NKY roller rink skates into new future," 23 Oct. 2017
And, of course, putting your own spin on those traditions.

— caroline collins mckenzie, Country Living, "The Georgia Pecan Farm Every Southerner Needs to Visit This Fall," 18 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tradition.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of tradition

Middle English tradicioun, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French tradicion, from Latin tradition-, traditio action of handing over, tradition — more at treason

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

tradition Synonyms

Synonyms

convention, custom, heritage, prescription, rubric, rule

Related Words

ethic, form, mode, mores, norm, principles, standards, values; birthright, inheritance, legacy; folklore, lore, superstition; culture, lifestyle

TRADITION Defined for English Language Learners

tradition

noun

Definition of tradition for English Language Learners

: a way of thinking, behaving, or doing something that has been used by the people in a particular group, family, society, etc., for a long time
: the stories, beliefs, etc., that have been part of the culture of a group of people for a long time
—used to say that someone has qualities which are like the qualities of another well-known person or group of people from the past