plural rituals
1
: a formal ceremony or series of acts that is always performed in the same way
a religious ritual
an ancient fertility ritual
The priest will perform the ritual.
He was buried simply, without ceremony or ritual.
2
: an act or series of acts done in a particular situation and in the same way each time
the daily ritual of preparing breakfast
the bird's mating ritual
His day-to-day life is based on ritual.
always used before a noun
1
: done as part of a ceremony or ritual
a ritual dance
perform a ritual purification
2
: always done in a particular situation and in the same way each time
ritual acts
a ritual greeting/gesture
Cite this Entry
“Ritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/ritual. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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