1
a
: a prescribed form or manner governing the words or actions for a ceremony
b
: the ceremonial practices of a church or group of churches
2
: a ceremonial act or action
initiation rites
3
: a division of the Christian church using a distinctive liturgy
Synonyms
Examples of rite in a Sentence
Incense is often burned in their religious rites.
the annual summer rite of loading up the car for the big family vacation
Recent Examples on the Web
The Health Safety Checklist Your College-Bound Teen Needs Quinceanera
In the Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central and South American traditions, 15-year-old identifying girls go through a semi-religious rite and celebration to mark their coming of age.
—
Jennifer O'Donnell, Parents, 8 July 2024
Regional papers subsequently said that more than 300,000 people had been barred from performing the rites as a result.
—Magdy Samaan, CNN, 25 June 2024
Request Reprint Permissions Play Download Article In the run-up to the 2016 U.S. presidential election, a foreign power managed to exert what seemed like unprecedented influence over the sacred rites of American democracy.
—William C. Wohlforth, Foreign Affairs, 22 June 2021
The Past What Ötzi the Iceman can tell us about tattoos in cultural and religious rites
A 5,300-year-old mummy teaches us the global history of tattoos.
—Big Think, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for rite 
Jennifer O'Donnell, Parents, 8 July 2024
Regional papers subsequently said that more than 300,000 people had been barred from performing the rites as a result.
—Magdy Samaan, CNN, 25 June 2024
Request Reprint Permissions Play Download Article In the run-up to the 2016 U.S. presidential election, a foreign power managed to exert what seemed like unprecedented influence over the sacred rites of American democracy.
—William C. Wohlforth, Foreign Affairs, 22 June 2021
The Past What Ötzi the Iceman can tell us about tattoos in cultural and religious rites
A 5,300-year-old mummy teaches us the global history of tattoos.
—Big Think, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for rite
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Rite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rite. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rite
noun1
a
: a fixed form for a ceremony
b
: the ceremonial practices of a church or group of churches
2
: a ceremonial act or action
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