rite

noun

1
a
: a prescribed form or manner governing the words or actions for a ceremony
b
: the ceremonial practices of a church or group of churches
2
: a ceremonial act or action
initiation rites
3
: a division of the Christian church using a distinctive liturgy

Examples of rite in a Sentence

Incense is often burned in their religious rites. the annual summer rite of loading up the car for the big family vacation
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The only hitch is getting the approval of Ming’s business partner, Master Man Kwok (Hui), a Taoist priest whose unparalleled reputation for performing funeral rites is equaled only by his strict observance of tradition. Richard Kuipers, Variety, 29 Oct. 2024 What has kept them from this sacred rite, year after year, according to this parent? Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2024 When Friedkin came aboard to helm the big-screen adaptation, he and Blatty were given access to the diaries of a priest who assisted in the rites, a Jesuit named William Halloran, as well as other eyewitness accounts. Katie Rife, EW.com, 13 Oct. 2024 Hence, rites, rituals and ceremonies that honor exemplary behavior are a way to confer status on individuals who subordinate their narrow self-interest to the benefit of the group as a whole. John C. Goodman, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rite 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin ritus; akin to Greek arithmos number — more at arithmetic

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of rite was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near rite

Cite this Entry

“Rite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rite. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

rite

noun
1
a
: a fixed form for a ceremony
b
: the ceremonial practices of a church or group of churches
2
: a ceremonial act or action

More from Merriam-Webster on rite

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