rite of passage

noun

1. Anthropology. a ceremony performed to facilitate or mark a person's change of status upon any of several highly important occasions, as at the onset of puberty or upon entry into marriage or into a clan.
2. any important act or event that serves to mark a passage from one stage of life to another.

rite of passage

/ rit də pɑsaʒ /

noun

1. a ceremony performed in some cultures at times when an individual changes his status, as at puberty and marriage
2. a significant event in a transitional period of someone's life

Word History and Origins

Origin of rite of passage¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

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

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

From BBC

On a calm day with clear skies, flying to the remote airstrip is a thrill, an easily accessible adventure and a celebrated rite of passage in Southern California’s tight-knit private pilot community.

From Los Angeles Times