traditional
adjective
tra·di·tion·al
trə-ˈdish-nəl 
-ˈdi-shə-nᵊl
1
: of or relating to tradition : consisting of or derived from tradition
a traditional celebration
2
: handed down from age to age
traditional history
traditional songs/stories
3
: following or conforming to tradition : adhering to past practices or established conventions
traditional morality
traditional values/beliefs
employing traditional methods of cooking
traditionally
adverb
a dish traditionally made with egg yolks, cream, and sugar
a seating area traditionally reserved for the church's leaders
Examples of traditional in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The first symptom, experts say, is a pervasive cough that can last for several weeks and is resistant to traditional antibiotic treatments.
—
Christina Coulter, Fox News, 18 Nov. 2023
That prompted senior sales agents to suggest that the traditional sales model, bulwarked on the strength of ancillary sales to TV in Europe, haS now broken.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 18 Nov. 2023
Although many young people are taking a more traditional alternative to apps—while also relying on options like Date Me docs—that has not stopped Gen Z from being vocal about the culture that surrounds modern relationships.
—WIRED, 18 Nov. 2023
The show's marketing also won't rely on traditional advertising.
—Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC News, 17 Nov. 2023
Just as direct, if more cryptic, is Elka Stevens’s quilt, a traditional African American craft object given a modernist vibe with its array of stark black-and-white icons.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023
The yet-unnamed second book is for children, featuring two kid-friendly recipes, and is loosely based on his childhood growing up in New York in a traditional West African home.
—Audarshia Townsend, Parents, 17 Nov. 2023
Plus, teenagers tend to be just a wee bit changeable, defying a traditional narrative arc.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Nov. 2023
To create a matcha drink in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony style, the kit includes a stoneware bowl, bamboo whisk, whisk holder, bamboo scoop, and a tea sifter.
—Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2023
See More
Christina Coulter, Fox News, 18 Nov. 2023
That prompted senior sales agents to suggest that the traditional sales model, bulwarked on the strength of ancillary sales to TV in Europe, haS now broken.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 18 Nov. 2023
Although many young people are taking a more traditional alternative to apps—while also relying on options like Date Me docs—that has not stopped Gen Z from being vocal about the culture that surrounds modern relationships.
—WIRED, 18 Nov. 2023
The show's marketing also won't rely on traditional advertising.
—Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC News, 17 Nov. 2023
Just as direct, if more cryptic, is Elka Stevens’s quilt, a traditional African American craft object given a modernist vibe with its array of stark black-and-white icons.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023
The yet-unnamed second book is for children, featuring two kid-friendly recipes, and is loosely based on his childhood growing up in New York in a traditional West African home.
—Audarshia Townsend, Parents, 17 Nov. 2023
Plus, teenagers tend to be just a wee bit changeable, defying a traditional narrative arc.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Nov. 2023
To create a matcha drink in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony style, the kit includes a stoneware bowl, bamboo whisk, whisk holder, bamboo scoop, and a tea sifter.
—Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'traditional.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing traditional
Dictionary Entries Near traditional
Cite this Entry
“Traditional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/traditional. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
traditional
adjective
tra·di·tion·al
trə-ˈdish-nəl,
-ən-ᵊl
1
: handed down from age to age without writing
2
: based on custom
our traditional Thanksgiving dinner
traditionally
adverb
-ē
More from Merriam-Webster on traditional
Nglish: Translation of traditional for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of traditional for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share