rite

noun

ˈrīt How to pronounce rite (audio)
Synonyms of rite
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 of rite

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The third floor contains meeting rooms where Smith and other leaders inaugurated a rite that involved foot-washing and anointing by oil, and where Smith reported a divine revelation of new teachings. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 The Pumpkin Spice Latte has become an annual rite of late summer since Starbucks introduced the beverage in 2003. — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026 Pentheus, for his part, is curious to witness his mother under the spell of Bacchic rites, and this curiosity results in his death at the hands of Agave, unable to recognize her own son due to her Dionysian frenzy. — Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 31 July 2026 The South Carolina Republican, who died earlier this month at 71, was celebrated in back-to-back departure rites—a morning ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda, followed by a funeral at the Washington National Cathedral. — Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for rite

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin ritus; akin to Greek arithmos number — more at arithmetic

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of rite was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing rite

Rhymes for rite

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Browse Nearby Words

ritardando
rite
rite de passage
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Cite this Entry

“Rite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rite. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rite

noun
ˈrīt How to pronounce rite (audio)
1
a
: a fixed form for a ceremony
b
: the ceremonial practices of a church or group of churches
2
: a ceremonial act or action

More from Merriam-Webster on rite

Nglish: Translation of rite for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rite

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