traditional

adjective

tra·​di·​tion·​al trə-ˈdi-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce traditional (audio)
1
: of or relating to tradition : consisting of or derived from tradition
a traditional celebration
2
: handed down from age to age
traditional history
traditional songs/stories
3
: following or conforming to tradition : adhering to past practices or established conventions
traditional morality
traditional values/beliefs
employing traditional methods of cooking
traditionally adverb
a dish traditionally made with egg yolks, cream, and sugar
a seating area traditionally reserved for the church's leaders

Examples of traditional in a Sentence

a traditional Passover meal at his grandparents' house a family that is very traditional when it comes to institutions like marriage
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An additional 18 pot still whiskeys won Gold, demonstrating that Ireland’s most traditional whiskey style continues to elevate the standards for flavor, complexity, and craftsmanship. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025 And believe it or not, plenty are genuinely comfortable, holding their own against traditional footwear. Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 15 July 2025 María Cristina Pérez An animation filmmaker whose work explores traditional techniques and personal storytelling. Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 15 July 2025 Rather than waiting for traditional space programs, these nations booked private flights through Axiom Space, which aims to build the world's first commercial space station, and SpaceX, which provided the spacecraft the astronauts traveled on. Doc Louallen, ABC News, 15 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for traditional

Word History

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of traditional was in 1545

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Cite this Entry

“Traditional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/traditional. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

traditional

adjective
tra·​di·​tion·​al
trə-ˈdish-nəl,
-ən-ᵊl
1
: handed down from age to age without writing
2
: based on custom
our traditional Thanksgiving dinner
traditionally
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on traditional

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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