tradition

truh-DISH-uhn/tɹəˈdɪʃn̩/

Pluraltraditions

5 meanings of tradition

1
nouncountable
A custom or belief that older people pass on to younger ones over time.
Like a favorite recipe that gets passed from grandparents to grandchildren.
Singing carols on the porch is a tradition we keep every December.
Many families pass a holiday tradition from grandparents to grandchildren.
Similarcustom, practice, ritual, convention, observance
Note
2
nouncountable
A set way of doing something that a place or group is known for.
This restaurant cooks in the tradition of southern home cooking.
The school follows a long tradition of teaching music to every child.
Similarschool, style, manner, vein
3
nouncountable or uncountable
A shared set of beliefs or ideas that many people accept and follow.
The democratic tradition values open debate and free voting.
Their religious tradition teaches kindness to strangers.
Similarheritage, legacy
4
noununcountable
The act of handing something over and giving it to another person.
Like passing a baton from one runner to the next.
Under old law, the tradition of the land passed it fully to the new owner.
The sale was complete only after the tradition of the keys to the buyer.
Similardelivery, handover, conveyance
Note

Less common meaning

5
verbobsolete
To pass something down from older people to younger ones over time.
Like passing a family recipe down from parent to child.
The elders tradition their stories to the children around the fire.
These skills were traditioned down through generations of craftsmen.
Note

Practice

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Origin

This word came through Middle English and Old French from Latin trādō. It is a doublet of "treason."