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Rite Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

rite

/ˈraɪt/

noun

plural

rites

rite

/ˈraɪt/

noun

plural

rites

Britannica Dictionary definition of RITE

[count]

:

an act that is part of a usually religious ceremony

  • Incense is often burned in their religious rites.

  • funeral/purification rites

  • Police suspect that the crime was a gang initiation rite. [=an act that someone must do in order to officially join a gang]

— see also last rites