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
In some cultures of the ancient Middle East, tattoos had a religious meaning, such as being used in fertility and funeral rites.
—
Gustavo Morello, The Conversation, 10 July 2024
Nekhbet’s priestesses performed their rites dressed in vulture feathers.
—Ian Rose, JSTOR Daily, 10 Apr. 2024
Zozobra is also considered a sacred rite of renewal, says Judith Moir, event deputy.
—Heather Mundt, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Aug. 2024
As the sun set and their outlines faded, the casters looked more like a society of dwarves performing the first in a series of ancient rites.
—Ellyn Gaydos, Harper's Magazine, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for rite 
Gustavo Morello, The Conversation, 10 July 2024
Nekhbet’s priestesses performed their rites dressed in vulture feathers.
—Ian Rose, JSTOR Daily, 10 Apr. 2024
Zozobra is also considered a sacred rite of renewal, says Judith Moir, event deputy.
—Heather Mundt, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Aug. 2024
As the sun set and their outlines faded, the casters looked more like a society of dwarves performing the first in a series of ancient rites.
—Ellyn Gaydos, Harper's Magazine, 25 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 6 Oct. 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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