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),  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

   fertility rites

   the rite of baptism

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 Word Forms

• riteless adjective
• ritelessness 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

Such bizarre arrangements may indicate rites meant to “discourage them from returning.”

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The “Year 3 Leap” is a rite of passage common to all-time basketball greats.

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But while the bloody rites of the original Euripides are at the heart of the tale, this version is so relentlessly digressive and irreverent that it plays more like parody than tragedy.

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But the big reason for Japanese hesitancy around epidurals is cultural, according to moms, midwives and doctors, with a “natural” birth without pain relief viewed by some as an essential rite of passage in motherhood.

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To run up the levee and gaze upon that view of downtown was something of a rite of passage for kids in the neighborhood.

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Related Words

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