rite

UK: /ˈraɪt/ US: /raɪt/ ,(rīt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

rite /raɪt/   n. [countable]

1. Religion a ceremony in religious or other solemn use:
   funeral rites.
2. a customary practice or tradition:
   the rites of spring.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

rite  (rīt), n. 

1. Religion a formal or ceremonial act or procedure prescribed or customary in religious or other solemn use:
   rites of baptism; sacrificial rites.
2. Religion a particular form or system of religious or other ceremonial practice:
   the Roman rite.
3. Religion (often cap.) one of the historical versions of the Eucharistic service:
   the Anglican Rite.
4. Religion (often cap.) liturgy.
5. Religion (sometimes cap.) [Eastern Ch.,] Western Ch. a division or differentiation of churches according to liturgy.
6. any customary observance or practice:
   the rite of afternoon tea.

• Latin rītus
• Old French rit(e))
• Middle English (1275–1325

rite′less, adj. 
rite′less•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. observance, form, usage. See ceremony. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

rite / raɪt/ noun

1. a formal act or procedure prescribed or customary in religious ceremonies: fertility rites, the rite of baptism
2. a particular body of such acts or procedures, esp of a particular Christian Church: the Latin rite
3. a Christian Church: the Greek rite

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin rītus religious ceremony