ritual

Universal Words noun, adjective noun [C,U] 1 a series of actions that are always carried out in the same way, especially as part of a religious ceremony: religious / pagan rituals * She objects to the ritual of organized religion. 2 something that is done regularly and always in the same way: Sunday lunch with the in-laws has become something of a ritual. adjective [onlybeforenoun] 1 done as part of a ritual or ceremony: ritual chanting / practices 2 always done or said in the same way, especially when this is not sincere: ritual expressions of sympathy ritually adverb: The goat was ritually slaughtered.