traditional
adjective
tra·di·tion·al
trə-ˈdi-sh(ə-)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
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
The Rose Bowl will remain a College Football Playoff quarterfinal for the next two seasons — and likely the four after that — holding down its traditional spot as the afternoon anchor of the New Year’s Day lineup.
—
Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
However, Petro did not receive the traditional military honor guard or ceremonial protocol afforded to a foreign leader visiting the White House, nor did the two presidents release a joint statement.
—Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 3 Feb. 2026
One of the defining images of the revolution in 1979 was an Iranian woman in a traditional black Shiite chador holding a G-3 rifle.
—Ramin Jahanbegloo, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
Multiple states have reported savings of up to 15% compared with traditional nursing home care.
—Miki Kapoor, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for traditional
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.
Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
However, Petro did not receive the traditional military honor guard or ceremonial protocol afforded to a foreign leader visiting the White House, nor did the two presidents release a joint statement.
—Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 3 Feb. 2026
One of the defining images of the revolution in 1979 was an Iranian woman in a traditional black Shiite chador holding a G-3 rifle.
—Ramin Jahanbegloo, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
Multiple states have reported savings of up to 15% compared with traditional nursing home care.
—Miki Kapoor, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for traditional
Cite this Entry
“Traditional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/traditional. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
