a religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order, a series of actions or type of behavior regularly and invariably followed by someone

go through the ritual(s), make a ritual of something, break the ritual

funeral ritual, rites of passage, daily ritual

Formal and Informal Expressions of ritual

In different contexts, you can replace 'ritual' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'ceremony, observance' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'routine, habit' is a commonplace synonym.

ritual: Explore its Definition & Usage

ritual Definition

1a religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order
2a series of actions or type of behavior regularly and invariably followed by someone

Using ritual: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "ritual" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The priest performed the ritual of baptism.
Example
The wedding ceremony was full of rituals and traditions.
Example
He has a morning ritual of drinking coffee and reading the newspaper.
Example
The team has a pre-game ritual of huddling together and chanting.

ritual Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for ritual

Antonyms for ritual

Idioms Using ritual

go through the ritual(s)
to perform a set of actions or behaviors in a perfunctory or superficial manner, often without genuine interest or enthusiasm
Example
She went through the ritual of greeting her coworkers every morning, but she didn't really enjoy socializing with them.
make a ritual of something
to establish a set of actions or behaviors as a regular and important part of one's routine
Example
He made a ritual of lighting candles and playing soft music before going to bed.
break the ritual
to disrupt or deviate from a set of established actions or behaviors
Example
I had to break the ritual of checking my phone first thing in the morning because it was affecting my productivity.

Phrases with ritual

funeral ritual
a set of practices and customs performed in honor of the deceased
Example
The funeral ritual included a eulogy, prayers, and a procession to the cemetery.
rites of passage
a ritual or ceremony marking an individual's transition from one stage of life to another, especially birth, puberty, marriage, and death
Example
The tribe's rites of passage for young men involved a test of strength and endurance.
daily ritual
a set of actions or behaviors that are performed regularly on a daily basis
Example
My daily ritual includes exercising, meditating, and journaling.

Origins of ritual

from Latin 'ritualis', meaning 'relating to rites'

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Summary: ritual in Brief

The term 'ritual' [ˈrɪtʃuəl] refers to a prescribed set of actions or behaviors, often associated with religious or solemn ceremonies. It can also refer to a series of actions or behaviors that are regularly followed, such as a morning routine or pre-game huddle. Examples include 'The priest performed the ritual of baptism.' and 'He has a morning ritual of drinking coffee and reading the newspaper.' Idioms like 'go through the ritual(s)' and 'make a ritual of something' convey the idea of performing actions in a perfunctory or established manner.