traditional

adjective

tra·​di·​tion·​al trə-ˈdi-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce traditional (audio)
Synonyms of traditionalnext
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

a traditional Passover meal at his grandparents' house a family that is very traditional when it comes to institutions like marriage
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The elevator delivers you to the lobby, where hanging textiles in warm ocher tones serve as the signature art piece, dyed using dorozome, a traditional mud-dyeing technique, with soil from the building site itself. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026 The board denied renewal of Green Dot Locke High charter by a 4-3 vote, citing lower performance compared to traditional schools. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026 People flock to the Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient for the homey takes on traditional Vietnamese food — especially the pho and the bánh xèo — but come back time and time again for owner Dan Nguyen and her special knack for treating everyone like family. Timothy Depeugh, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026 The production has long attracted performers from across the entertainment world, and the pairing of two Dancing with the Stars alumni in leading roles adds a new dimension to its legacy of drawing audiences beyond traditional theatergoers. Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for traditional

Word History

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of traditional was in 1545

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Cite this Entry

“Traditional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/traditional. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

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

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