1
a
: a prescribed form or manner governing the words or actions for a ceremony
b
: the ceremonial practices of a church or group of churches
2
: a ceremonial act or action
initiation rites
3
: a division of the Christian church using a distinctive liturgy
Examples of rite in a Sentence
Incense is often burned in their religious rites.
the annual summer rite of loading up the car for the big family vacation
Recent Examples on the Web
One of the annual rites of spring in the Aurora area is the opening of the Kane County Flea Market, a tradition that dates back almost six decades.
—
David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025
Rabat Reuters — King Mohammed VI of Morocco asked Moroccans on Wednesday to abstain from performing the rite of slaughtering sheep on Eid al-Adha this year due to a drop in the country’s herd following years of drought.
—Reuters, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
The offerings may have been linked to fertility rites given that the posts were aligned with the rising and setting of the sun during the spring and autumn equinoxes.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Funeral rites will be held at the Church of the Four Corners at 14300 E. US Highway 40, in Kansas City.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rite
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David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025
Rabat Reuters — King Mohammed VI of Morocco asked Moroccans on Wednesday to abstain from performing the rite of slaughtering sheep on Eid al-Adha this year due to a drop in the country’s herd following years of drought.
—Reuters, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
The offerings may have been linked to fertility rites given that the posts were aligned with the rising and setting of the sun during the spring and autumn equinoxes.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Funeral rites will be held at the Church of the Four Corners at 14300 E. US Highway 40, in Kansas City.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rite
Articles Related to rite
Cite this Entry
“Rite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rite. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rite
noun1
a
: a fixed form for a ceremony
b
: the ceremonial practices of a church or group of churches
2
: a ceremonial act or action
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