rit·u·al
ˈri-chə-wəl 
-chəl;
ˈrich-wəl
1
: of or relating to rites or a ritual : ceremonial
a ritual dance
2
: according to religious law
ritual purity
3
: done in accordance with social custom or normal protocol
ritual handshakes
ritual background checks
ritually
adverb
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
Examples of ritual in a Sentence
Noun
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
Peter Baker, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
But to that list, a lot of us would add the ritual, stretching past 50 years now, of Bruce Springsteen in concert.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Mar. 2024
Its premiere begins with Blackthorne’s ship emerging out of the fog as the ocean sprays over the jagged rocks surrounding a small fishing village, and many scenes—including one of the first to feature Sanada’s Toranaga—hinge on the possibility of seppuku, the ritual suicide that samurai perform.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2024
On the same night, everywhere in the world where there are Jews, the ritual meal takes place, though the food and flavors differ according to the local culture.
—Kate Maxwell Lindsey Tramuta Reggie Nadelson Gisela Williams Roxanne Fequiere Siska Lyssens, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
But the best scalp massagers—small, ergonomically shaped tools intended to reach through strands and knead the scalp—can make a DIY ritual simple and accessible but no less comforting, with benefits for both the scalp and hair to be had as a result.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2024
On its face, the reëlection of Vladimir Putin as Russia’s President seems a superfluous oddity, a ritual devoid of substance.
—Joshua Yaffa, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2024
Alan Wake is about the titular writer returning from an otherworldly prison and joining Saga Anderson to investigate ritual murders.
—Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024
Their findings, published this month in the journal Antiquity, mark the earliest physical evidence of ritual practices involving tobacco in Mesoamerica.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Mar. 2024
Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
This small luxury and ritual might be just the thing to bring cozy comfort to your living room, too.
—Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
For pampering and wellness, there’s the award-winning Woodlands Spa and Salon and the Holistic Healing Center, where the signature therapies and rituals are restorative and rejuvenating.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
Francis did preside over the Holy Thursday ritual of washing the feet of the faithful at a women’s prison in Rome.
—Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2024
Everyone has a morning ritual or routine that helps to kickstart their day.
—Tim Chan, Variety, 29 Mar. 2024
After all, art is the closest modern equivalent of the ancient cult rituals: Artworks are secrets whose meaning has to be revealed.
—Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024
Bathing, as well as being a relaxing ritual in itself, is a great way to raise body temperature and in turn kick start the body’s circadian rhythm to get it back on a more regular footing.
—Georgia Day, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2024
These rituals have meaning, and departing from them too radically robs them of their emotional value.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Unlike previous comments, however, the latest White House statement made no mention of Oct. 7 nor the by-now ritual defense of Israel’s right to respond to Hamas.
—Peter Baker, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
But to that list, a lot of us would add the ritual, stretching past 50 years now, of Bruce Springsteen in concert.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Mar. 2024
Its premiere begins with Blackthorne’s ship emerging out of the fog as the ocean sprays over the jagged rocks surrounding a small fishing village, and many scenes—including one of the first to feature Sanada’s Toranaga—hinge on the possibility of seppuku, the ritual suicide that samurai perform.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2024
On the same night, everywhere in the world where there are Jews, the ritual meal takes place, though the food and flavors differ according to the local culture.
—Kate Maxwell Lindsey Tramuta Reggie Nadelson Gisela Williams Roxanne Fequiere Siska Lyssens, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
But the best scalp massagers—small, ergonomically shaped tools intended to reach through strands and knead the scalp—can make a DIY ritual simple and accessible but no less comforting, with benefits for both the scalp and hair to be had as a result.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2024
On its face, the reëlection of Vladimir Putin as Russia’s President seems a superfluous oddity, a ritual devoid of substance.
—Joshua Yaffa, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2024
Alan Wake is about the titular writer returning from an otherworldly prison and joining Saga Anderson to investigate ritual murders.
—Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024
Their findings, published this month in the journal Antiquity, mark the earliest physical evidence of ritual practices involving tobacco in Mesoamerica.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Mar. 2024
Noun
Practitioners of Santeria also trace historical ties to chanting rituals performed during a solar eclipse.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
This small luxury and ritual might be just the thing to bring cozy comfort to your living room, too.
—Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
For pampering and wellness, there’s the award-winning Woodlands Spa and Salon and the Holistic Healing Center, where the signature therapies and rituals are restorative and rejuvenating.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
Francis did preside over the Holy Thursday ritual of washing the feet of the faithful at a women’s prison in Rome.
—Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2024
Everyone has a morning ritual or routine that helps to kickstart their day.
—Tim Chan, Variety, 29 Mar. 2024
After all, art is the closest modern equivalent of the ancient cult rituals: Artworks are secrets whose meaning has to be revealed.
—Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024
Bathing, as well as being a relaxing ritual in itself, is a great way to raise body temperature and in turn kick start the body’s circadian rhythm to get it back on a more regular footing.
—Georgia Day, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2024
These rituals have meaning, and departing from them too radically robs them of their emotional value.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ritual.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ritual
Cite this Entry
“Ritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ritual. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
adverb
-ē
ritual
2 of 2 noun1
: 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
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