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
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
Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
Some religious beliefs may also encourage ritual or reflection as ways to cope.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 29 July 2025
Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 2 Aug. 2025
Additionally, Oshun Griot offers healing rituals, including meditations, yoga, and affirmations rooted in cultural traditions, as well as real-life stories from individuals of color navigating their fertility journeys, and helpful yoga videos.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ritual
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Adjective
As new discoveries emerge, researchers hope to deepen their understanding of how and when early humans began treating death with ritual, symbolism, and meaning.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
Some religious beliefs may also encourage ritual or reflection as ways to cope.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 29 July 2025
Noun
The church has made fewer modifications than in other denominations to ancient Christian rituals or doctrines, the diocese wrote.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 2 Aug. 2025
Additionally, Oshun Griot offers healing rituals, including meditations, yoga, and affirmations rooted in cultural traditions, as well as real-life stories from individuals of color navigating their fertility journeys, and helpful yoga videos.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ritual
Cite this Entry
“Ritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ritual. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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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