rite of passage

American  

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.

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rite of passage British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of rite of passage

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

So what if another ritual—another rite of passage, another shared experience—is lost?

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s a rite of passage, a sort of welcoming into the family.

From Salon

Going public was long considered a rite of passage for young companies.

From The Wall Street Journal

In May, the group held Altadena Girls Prom for those who missed out on the rite of passage due to the fire.

From Los Angeles Times

She turned 13 just a few weeks ago and opening an Instagram account was a rite of passage for her.

From BBC