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 of ritual
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
Ryan Brennan
april 4, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
The Egyptians under the Ptolemaic dynasty (305–30 bce) appear to have associated this belief with ritual practice.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
This visual story captures solemn moments of faith, tradition and community as worshippers publicly observed one of Christianity’s most sacred Holy Week rituals.
—Al Diaz, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ritual
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show current usage.
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Adjective
The remains were found partially covered in sediment, and their position on a sediment pile suggests intentional placement, likely as part of a ritual funerary practice.
—Ryan Brennan
april 4, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
The Egyptians under the Ptolemaic dynasty (305–30 bce) appear to have associated this belief with ritual practice.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
The Glamour Studio for simultaneous hair, make-up, and nail rituals is sure to be a hit with the highly coiffed residents of the Athenian Riviera.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
This visual story captures solemn moments of faith, tradition and community as worshippers publicly observed one of Christianity’s most sacred Holy Week rituals.
—Al Diaz, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ritual
Cite this Entry
“Ritual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ritual. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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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