Rite vs. Ritual

Ritenoun

A religious custom.

Ritenoun

(by extension) A prescribed behavior.

Ritenoun

en

Ritenoun

The act of performing divine or solemn service, as established by law, precept, or custom; a formal act of religion or other solemn duty; a solemn observance; a ceremony; as, the rites of freemasonry.

Ritenoun

an established ceremony prescribed by a religion;

Ritenoun

any customary observance or practice

Rite

A rite is an established, ceremonial, usually religious, act. Rites in this sense fall into three major categories: rites of passage, generally changing an individual's social status, such as marriage, adoption, baptism, coming of age, graduation, or inauguration; communal rites, whether of worship, where a community comes together to worship, such as Jewish synagogue or Mass, or of another character, such as fertility rites and certain non-religious festivals; rites of personal devotion, where an individual worships, including prayer and pilgrimages, pledges of allegiance, or promises to wed someone.

Ritualadjective

Related to a rite or repeated set of actions.

Ritualnoun

rite; a repeated set of actions

Ritualadjective

Of or pertaining to rites or ritual; as, ritual service or sacrifices; the ritual law.

Ritualnoun

A prescribed form of performing divine service in a particular church or communion; as, the Jewish ritual.

Ritualnoun

Hence, the code of ceremonies observed by an organization; as, the ritual of the freemasons.

Ritualnoun

A book containing the rites to be observed.

Ritualnoun

any customary observance or practice

Ritualnoun

the prescribed procedure for conducting religious ceremonies

Ritualnoun

stereotyped behavior

Ritualadjective

of or relating to or characteristic of religious rituals;

Ritualadjective

of or relating to or employed in social rites or rituals;

Ritual

A ritual is a sequence of activities involving gestures, words, actions, or objects, performed according to a set sequence. Rituals may be prescribed by the traditions of a community, including a religious community.