Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

ritual

1 noun
     
Related topics: Religion
rit‧u‧al1 [uncountable and countable]
1RR a ceremony that is always performed in the same way, in order to mark an important religious or social occasion [↪ rite]:
ancient pagan rituals
the importance of religion and ritual in our lives
The lady of the house performs the sacred ritual of lighting two candles.
2 something that you do regularly and in the same way each time [↪ routine]
ritual of
the daily ritual of mealtimes
He went through the ritual of lighting his cigar.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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