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

The stores sell dresses for proms, special occasions and quinceañeras, a Latin American rite of passage celebrating a young girl’s 15th birthday and her transition to adulthood.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026

It was a wistful and exciting moment, a rite of passage for many privileged middle-class parents around this time of year.

From Salon • May 31, 2026

Succinctly describe a time, place and activity that affected you: a rite of passage, a pivotal career move, a tragedy or unexpected turn of events.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

Lindblad's so new to the sport that he hasn't even taken part in what's become a rite of passage for F1 drivers – introducing himself to the Drive to Survive cameras.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

Stated positively, they believed that learning is a social activity; learning is a rite of passage into the group.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez