# tradition

/tɹəˈdɪʃən/ (US) · /tɹɐdˈɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tradition
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. cultural custom

noun · CEFR A2

a custom or belief that people in a group or family have followed for a long time.

For teachers: a long-established custom or belief passed down through generations within a community or family.

- It is a family tradition to eat a big breakfast together every Sunday morning.
- The festival preserves a centuries-old tradition of folk dancing that remains central to the town's cultural identity.

Usage: Often used with the verbs 'follow', 'keep', or 'break'.

### 2. established style

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

a specific style or way of doing something that is well-known and respected.

For teachers: an established or distinctive style, method, or school of thought within a particular field or discipline.

- The building was designed in the grand tradition of European architecture.
- The author writes in the realist tradition, focusing on the mundane details of working-class life in the industrial north.

Usage: Frequently appears in the phrase 'in the tradition of'.

## Examples

- It is a family tradition to eat together on Sundays.
- The town maintains the tradition of lighting a large bonfire every November to celebrate the end of the harvest.
- While some critics argue that the ceremony is outdated, many citizens believe that upholding such a tradition is vital for maintaining social cohesion in a rapidly changing world.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.