ritual

RICH-oo-uhl/ˈɹɪt͡ʃ.u.əl/

2 meanings of ritual

1
nouncountable or uncountable
A set of actions done the same way each time, often as part of a religion.
Like brushing your teeth the same way every night: a set of steps you always repeat.
Lighting the candles became a calming ritual before bed.
Every morning she follows the same ritual of tea and quiet reading.
Similarrite, ceremony, observance, service, liturgy
2
adjective
Having to do with a rite, or with actions repeated in the same set way.
Like the special clothes worn only at a wedding, kept for set, formal actions.
The dancers wore ritual masks during the ceremony.
They performed a ritual greeting before sitting down to the meal.
Similarceremonial, ritualistic, sacramental, liturgical

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Origin

From Latin rītus, meaning "rite," which formed the adjective rītuālis.