ritual
n. C / Un. a set of actions that you always perform in the same way, often for a special ceremony or a personal habit. It helps people feel connected to a tradition or a routine.
n. a prescribed order of performing a ceremony or a series of actions followed regularly and precisely. Often carries symbolic significance within a cultural, religious, or personal context.
My morning ritual includes drinking coffee and reading the news.
The pre-game ritual of the team involves a specific chant and a shared meal to build unity.
Anthropologists argue that even the most secular societies maintain complex rituals to mark significant life transitions, such as graduations or retirements, which serve to reinforce social cohesion.
From Latin rītuālis (adjective), from rītus (“rite”) + -ālis.
Uncountable when referring to the general practice of ceremonial acts; countable when referring to a specific set of actions.