traditional

UK: /trəˈdɪʃ^ən^əl/ US: (trə dish′ə nl)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

tra•di•tion•al  (trə dish′ə nl), adj. 

1. of or pertaining to tradition.
2. handed down by tradition.
3. in accordance with tradition.
4. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the older styles of jazz, esp. New Orleans style, Chicago style, Kansas City style, and Dixieland. Cf. mainstream (def. 4).

Also, tra•di•tion•ar•y (trə dish′ə ner′ē) (for defs. 1–3. ).

• Medieval Latin trāditiōnālis. See tradition, -al¹
• 1585–95

tra•di′tion•al ′i•ty, n. 
tra•di ′tion•al•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1, 2. conventional, customary, established.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

traditional / trəˈdɪʃən^əl/ adjective

1. of, relating to, or being a tradition
2. of or relating to the style of jazz originating in New Orleans, characterized by collective improvisation by a front line of trumpet, trombone, and clarinet accompanied by various rhythm instruments

traˈditionally adverb

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

tra•di•tion /trəˈdɪʃən/   n. 

1. the handing down of statements, beliefs, etc., esp. by word of mouth or by practice:
   [uncountable] In Jewish tradition, learning is highly valued.
2. something handed down in this way:
   [countable] the traditions of the Eskimos.
3. a long-established way of thinking or acting:
   [uncountable] a break with tradition.

tra•di•tion•al, adj. 

: wearing traditional dress.

tra•di•tion•al•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

tra•di•tion  (trə dish′ən), n. 

1. the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, esp. by word of mouth or by practice:
   a story that has come down to us by popular tradition.
2. something that is handed down:
   the traditions of the Eskimos.
3. a long-established or inherited way of thinking or acting:
   The rebellious students wanted to break with tradition.
4. a continuing pattern of culture beliefs or practices.
5. a customary or characteristic method or manner:
   The winner took a victory lap in the usual track tradition.
6. [Theol.]
   • (among Jews) body of laws and doctrines, or any one of them, held to have been received from Moses and originally handed down orally from generation to generation.
   • (among Christians) a body of teachings, or any one of them, held to have been delivered by Christ and His apostles but not originally committed to writing.
   • (among Muslims) a hadith.
7. [Law.] an act of handing over something to another, esp. in a formal legal manner;
   delivery;
   transfer.

• Latin trāditiōn- (stem of trāditiō) a handing over or down, transfer, equivalent. to trādit(us), past participle of trādere to give over, impart, surrender, betray (trā-, variant of trāns- trans- + -ditus, combining form of datus given; see date¹) + -iōn- -ion
• Old French
• Middle English tradicion 1350–1400

tra•di ′tion•less, adj. 
Synonyms

• 2. custom, practice, habit, convention, usage.