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 only hitch is getting the approval of Ming’s business partner, Master Man Kwok (Hui), a Taoist priest whose unparalleled reputation for performing funeral rites is equaled only by his strict observance of tradition.
—
Richard Kuipers, Variety, 29 Oct. 2024
What has kept them from this sacred rite, year after year, according to this parent?
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2024
When Friedkin came aboard to helm the big-screen adaptation, he and Blatty were given access to the diaries of a priest who assisted in the rites, a Jesuit named William Halloran, as well as other eyewitness accounts.
—Katie Rife, EW.com, 13 Oct. 2024
Hence, rites, rituals and ceremonies that honor exemplary behavior are a way to confer status on individuals who subordinate their narrow self-interest to the benefit of the group as a whole.
—John C. Goodman, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rite 
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.
Richard Kuipers, Variety, 29 Oct. 2024
What has kept them from this sacred rite, year after year, according to this parent?
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2024
When Friedkin came aboard to helm the big-screen adaptation, he and Blatty were given access to the diaries of a priest who assisted in the rites, a Jesuit named William Halloran, as well as other eyewitness accounts.
—Katie Rife, EW.com, 13 Oct. 2024
Hence, rites, rituals and ceremonies that honor exemplary behavior are a way to confer status on individuals who subordinate their narrow self-interest to the benefit of the group as a whole.
—John C. Goodman, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rite
Articles Related to rite
Dictionary Entries Near rite
Cite this Entry
“Rite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rite. Accessed 22 Nov. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share