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.

---

Discover More

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

Example Sentences

In two months Sir Keir Starmer has already completed numerous rites of passage for new prime ministers.

From BBC • Sep. 7, 2024

Crossing up and over the fabled Donner Pass in the northern Sierra Nevada and descending to Lake Tahoe is one of those essential rites of passage for Californians.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2024

There were Champagne toasts and rites of passage.

From New York Times • May 28, 2023

As her “parentified” sons, both Oleff and Argus quietly, thoughtfully convey their shared and private frustrations and fears as they navigate their personal rites of passage into adulthood.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2023

“Some consider the temple’s rites of passage to be the most difficult in all Eshōza. Of course, I didn’t find them too challenging...”

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray