tradition
noun
tra·di·tion
trə-ˈdi-shən 
1
a
: 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
J. L. Esposito2
: 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
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Good people embody qualities like calmness, conscientiousness, universalism, agreeableness, warmth, security, tradition and conformity.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Wealthier residents marked their homes with costlier whites or yellows, a tradition that has continued for the past century.
—Phil Thomas, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2025
Inspired by Brazil’s tradition of bricklayers and farm labourers who compete for money with fake brand shoes, says Miranda of his feature debut.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 15 July 2025
This transfer of command is a family tradition: Beatrix's mother, Juliana of the Netherlands, was Queen from 1948 until her abdication in 1980 when Beatrix took over.
—Alex Apatoff, People.com, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tradition
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Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Wealthier residents marked their homes with costlier whites or yellows, a tradition that has continued for the past century.
—Phil Thomas, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2025
Inspired by Brazil’s tradition of bricklayers and farm labourers who compete for money with fake brand shoes, says Miranda of his feature debut.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 15 July 2025
This transfer of command is a family tradition: Beatrix's mother, Juliana of the Netherlands, was Queen from 1948 until her abdication in 1980 when Beatrix took over.
—Alex Apatoff, People.com, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tradition
Cite this Entry
“Tradition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tradition. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tradition
noun
tra·di·tion
trə-ˈdish-ən
1
: the handing down of information, beliefs, or customs from one generation to another
2
: a belief or custom handed down by tradition
Legal Definition
tradition
noun
tra·di·tion
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
Louisiana Civil CodeEtymology
French, legal transfer
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