tradition
noun
tra·di·tion
| \ trə-ˈdi-shən
\
\
Definition of tradition
1a
: an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (such as a religious practice or a social custom)
b
: a belief or story or a body of beliefs or stories relating to the past that are commonly accepted as historical though not verifiable
… the bulk of traditions attributed to the Prophet …— J. L. Esposito
2
: the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction
3
: cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions
4
: characteristic manner, method, or style
in the best liberal tradition
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Other Words from tradition
traditionless
\ trə-ˈdi-shən-ləs
\
adjective
\
adjective
Synonyms for tradition
Synonyms
convention, custom, heritage, prescription, rubric, rule
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Examples of tradition in a Sentence
One of our town's time-honored traditions is to have an Easter egg hunt the week before Easter.
It is their tradition to give thanks before they start eating.
There's an office tradition of wearing casual clothes on Fridays.
They no longer follow the traditions of their ancestors.
We broke with tradition and had goose for Thanksgiving instead of turkey.
By tradition, the celebration begins at midnight.
They no longer follow tradition.
According to tradition, the goddess lies sleeping beneath the mountain.
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Recent Examples on the Web
His tactics have repeatedly defied tradition and precedent in a society that treasures yesterday as a guide for tomorrow. — Washington Post, "‘The Trumpization of U.K. politics’: Boris Johnson is busting political norms," 9 Sep. 2019 Concern over impeding a Middle East tradition, lawmakers say. — Fox News, "California lawmakers retreat on hookah ban citing 'Middle East cultural tradition'," 8 Sep. 2019 Then, as now, Mr. Biden saw the culture and traditions of the Senate not as crippling obstacles, but as instruments that could be bent to his advantage. — Alexander Burns, New York Times, "Biden Wants to Work With ‘the Other Side.’ This Supreme Court Battle Explains Why.," 7 Sep. 2019 Fans fell in love with the bit, and the weekly tradition became a meme. — Charlotte Wilder, SI.com, "We Didn't Get A Collinsworth Slide, But TNF Did Give Us Throwback Costumes," 6 Sep. 2019 The year was 1917, and a proud American tradition was born out of cataclysm. — Staff Report, Houston Chronicle, "Katy VFW auxiliary to salute Gold Star moms, families," 6 Sep. 2019 This annual tradition started in 2011 and to date has raised over $35,000 to support AHM programs for local children. — courant.com, "Community News For The Hebron Edition," 6 Sep. 2019 Fiesta de Artes, a 48-year tradition, continues with a few twists, including a new name and date. — Debby Rice, The Mercury News, "Fiesta has new name and date, same fundraising goals," 6 Sep. 2019 Friends and family can celebrate the Old World tradition with sips and samples from local wineries, breweries, cideries and food vendors. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "11 things to do in San Diego this weekend: Blues festival, ‘Kiss My Aztec!,’ Brian Wilson and The Zombies," 6 Sep. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tradition.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for tradition
tradition
noun
English Language Learners Definition of tradition
: a way of thinking, behaving, or doing something that has been used by the people in a particular group, family, society, etc., for a long time
: the stories, beliefs, etc., that have been part of the culture of a group of people for a long time
—used to say that someone has qualities which are like the qualities of another well-known person or group of people from the past
See the full definition for tradition in the English Language Learners Dictionary
tradition
noun
tra·di·tion
| \ trə-ˈdi-shən
\
\
Kids Definition of tradition
1
: the handing down of information, beliefs, or customs from one generation to another
2
: a belief or custom handed down from one generation to another
tradition
noun
tra·di·tion
Legal Definition of tradition
in the civil law of Louisiana
: transfer or acquisition of property especially by delivery with intent of both parties to transfer the title
delivery of the act of transfer or use of the right by the owner of the dominant estate constitutes tradition — Louisiana Civil Code
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