rites of passage

Cultural  

1. Ceremonies that mark important transitional periods in a person's life, such as birth, puberty, marriage, having children, and death. Rites of passage usually involve ritual activities and teachings designed to strip individuals of their original roles and prepare them for new roles. The traditional American wedding ceremony is such a rite of passage. In many so-called primitive societies, some of the most complex rites of passage occur at puberty, when boys and girls are initiated into the adult world. In some ceremonies, the initiates are removed from their village and may undergo physical mutilation before returning as adults.

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Rites of passage generally affirm community solidarity, especially in times of change or crisis.

Example Sentences

The disaster left many students wondering whether they’d get to experience certain adolescent rites of passage, including prom.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2025

So who are we now to preach to younger generations for whom gap years and backpacking are almost a rites of passage and indeed life enhancing experiences?

From BBC • May 30, 2024

Hers are the films they’ll watch over and over in their rooms — rites of passage, as important as any Joan Didion essay or Sylvia Plath poem, that have transcended generations.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 31, 2023

Working as a shepherd, Mr. James prepares for rites of passage and copes with drought-related clashes with neighboring communities.

From New York Times • Jun. 3, 2023

He was still nervous, but knowing that he wouldn’t have to do whatever Kamau had done during his rites of passage was a small comfort.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray