rite

[ rahyt ]

noun

1. a formal or ceremonial act or procedure prescribed or customary in religious or other solemn use:

   rites of baptism; sacrificial rites.

   Synonyms: usage, form, observance

2. a particular form or system of religious or other ceremonial practice:

   the Roman rite.

3. (often initial capital letter) a liturgy or liturgical system, especially one of the historical versions of the Eucharistic service:

   the Anglican Rite.

4. (sometimes initial capital letter) Eastern Church, Western Church. a division or differentiation of churches based on liturgical practice.
5. any customary observance or practice:

   the rite of afternoon tea.

rite

/ raɪt /

noun

1. a formal act or procedure prescribed or customary in religious ceremonies

   the rite of baptism

   fertility rites

2. a particular body of such acts or procedures, esp of a particular Christian Church

   the Latin rite

3. a Christian Church

   the Greek rite

Other Words From

• riteless adjective
• riteless·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rite¹

1275–1325; Middle English (< Old French rit ( e )) < Latin rītus

Word History and Origins

Origin of rite¹

C14: from Latin rītus religious ceremony

Synonym Study

See ceremony.

Example Sentences

They are also trying to build consensus around subjects such as the last rites of repatriated remains.

From BBC

Ms Kim told me that getting into heated online arguments is a bit of a “rite of passage” for Swift's fandom.

From BBC

According to the lawsuit, Mr Combs said it was “a rite of passage” and “the route to becoming a star”.

From BBC

For many straight men, their maiden journey to a strip club is an obligatory rite of passage, but for Baker, the incident was more fraught.

From Los Angeles Times

In doing so, I realized the ancients also needed rites and rituals to ease them into the gathering darkness.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• celebration
• custom
• formality
• liturgy
• observance
• occasion
• procedure
• ritual
• Sacrament