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
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
And while Sephardic families have a ceremony to mark the end of Passover, for Jews with roots in Eastern Europe, there's a bit of a ritual vacuum.
—Deena Prichep, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025
Lauren Arzbaecher, Architectural Digest, 28 Apr. 2025
Francis wanted his burial ritual simplified, with less opulence, in keeping with his view that the church should serve the poor.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ritual
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Adjective
The power of ritual Tan, of Case Western Reserve, said the conclave’s shift from its Eurocentric foundations and focus is largely the handiwork of Francis himself, who appointed 108 of the 135 electors who will elect his successor.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
And while Sephardic families have a ceremony to mark the end of Passover, for Jews with roots in Eastern Europe, there's a bit of a ritual vacuum.
—Deena Prichep, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
While the set comes with a small Kanuma pumice incense holder, the brand’s bronze asymmetrical beauty—designed in collaboration with Vogel Studio—gives the ritual of burning incense an elegant flair.
—Lauren Arzbaecher, Architectural Digest, 28 Apr. 2025
Francis wanted his burial ritual simplified, with less opulence, in keeping with his view that the church should serve the poor.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 27 Apr. 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 2 May. 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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