INDEX:
1. a tradition
2. all the customs and beliefs of a country or group
3. a special event that is part of a tradition
4. to not do something in the usual or traditional way
RELATED WORDS
see also
↑ CONVENTIONAL/UNCONVENTIONAL
↑ HABIT
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1. a tradition
▷ tradition /trəˈdɪʃ ə n/ [countable noun]
a belief, custom, or way of doing something that has existed for a very long time in a particular country or among a particular group of people :
▪ A lot of the old traditions are dying out.
▪ Every village has its own traditions.
tradition of
▪ The region has a tradition of winemaking which goes back to Roman times.
tradition that
▪ It’s still the tradition here that the eldest son inherits all the family’s money and land.
family tradition
▪ We always go for a long walk on Christmas morning - it’s a family tradition.
▷ traditional /trəˈdɪʃ ə nəl/ [adjective]
belonging to the traditions of a country or group of people - use this about music, food, clothes, customs etc :
▪ A group of children will perform traditional dances.
traditional African/French/English etc
▪ The dancers were wearing traditional African costume.
▪ The restaurant offers a wide range of traditional French food.
it is traditional to do something
▪ In the US it is traditional to dress up in costumes on Halloween.
traditionally [adverb]
▪ a special dish that is traditionally eaten at New Year
▷ custom /ˈkʌstəm/ [countable noun]
a way of behaving that has existed for a long time among a group of people, and is considered normal or polite - use this especially to talk about other countries or other times :
▪ Sadly, a lot of the old customs are now dying out.
custom of
▪ The custom of sending birthday cards began in the 19th century.
it is the custom (for somebody) to do something
▪ It is the custom in Japan to take your shoes off when you go into someone’s house.
▪ In those days it was the custom for farmers to give part of their crop to the lord of the manor.
▷ customary /ˈkʌstəm ə riǁ-meri/ [adjective]
something that is customary is considered normal or polite because it is the way it is usually done by a group of people :
▪ The man at the hotel welcomed us with the customary greeting.
it is customary (for somebody) to do something
▪ It is customary for the man to propose to the woman.
▷ institution /ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃ ə n, ˌɪnstəˈtjuːʃ ə nǁ-ˈtuː-/ [countable noun usually singular]
a custom, belief or way of doing something that has become established and accepted as part of normal life among a particular group of people :
▪ Trading in ivory had become an institution in this part of Africa.
institution of
▪ Church leaders are meeting this week to discuss ways of preserving the institution of marriage.
2. all the customs and beliefs of a country or group
▷ tradition /trəˈdɪʃ ə n/ [uncountable noun]
all the beliefs and ways of behaving that have existed for a very long time in a particular country or among a particular group of people :
▪ There is great respect for tradition among the older members of the community.
by tradition
according to a tradition
▪ By tradition, it is the bride’s parents who pay for the wedding.
▷ folklore /ˈfəʊklɔːʳ/ [uncountable noun]
old stories which the people in a country or area have told each other for a very long time, and which often contain historical or religious ideas :
according to folklore
▪ According to folklore, King Arthur will one day return to become King of Britain.
in folklore
▪ In folklore the snake is often a symbol of evil.
▷ heritage /ˈherɪtɪdʒ, ˈherətɪdʒ/ [uncountable noun]
art, literature, and traditions that are considered to belong as a right to all the people in a society, especially because they form an important part of a country’s history :
▪ The town takes great pride in its architectural heritage.
national heritage
▪ These works of art are considered of great importance to Russia’s national heritage.
heritage of
▪ The castle is part of the heritage of Wales and should be preserved for the people of Wales.
▷ culture /ˈkʌltʃəːʳ/ [countable/uncountable noun]
all the customs, beliefs, and practices of a particular society or among a particular group of people :
▪ The trip offers you a unique opportunity to experience the culture of the remote hill tribes of the north.
▪ In what ways do British and Australian culture differ?
3. a special event that is part of a tradition
▷ ceremony /ˈserɪməni, ˈserəməniǁ-məʊni/ [countable noun]
a special formal event which is part of the religious or social tradition of a place, and in which there is a fixed set of words and actions :
wedding/funeral etc ceremony
▪ After the wedding ceremony we went to a reception at the bride’s parents’ house.
hold a ceremony
have a ceremony
▪ A ceremony is held every year to remember those who died in the war.
attend a ceremony
▪ Over 2,000 people attended the official opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.
▷ ceremonial /ˌserɪˈməʊniəl◂, ˌserəˈməʊniəl◂/ [adjective only before noun]
ceremonial clothes, objects, and activities are used in important religious or social ceremonies :
▪ The Queen was in full ceremonial dress for the state opening of Parliament.
▪ His right hand rested on his ceremonial sword.
▪ The full costume is only worn on important ceremonial occasions.
▷ ritual /ˈrɪtʃuəl/ [countable/uncountable noun]
a set of words and actions that are always done in the same way, for example as part of a religious ceremony :
▪ The book examines rituals for childbirth from different parts of the world.
▪ After an elaborate ritual, the boys are formally accepted into the tribe.
perform a ritual
▪ The ritual is performed in order to thank the Sun Goddess for the rice harvest.
▷ rite /raɪt/ [countable noun]
a special action that is done as part of an important religious or social ceremony, especially one that only particular people, for example priests, are allowed to perform :
▪ Buddhist rites
perform a rite
▪ The Batak chieftains perform the traditional initiation rite.
last rites
final prayers and ceremonies for someone who is dying
▪ A priest was called to perform last rites for the dying woman.
funeral rites
▪ The body cannot be buried until the funeral rites have been performed.
4. to not do something in the usual or traditional way
▷ break with tradition/break with the past /ˌbreɪk wɪð trəˈdɪʃ ə n, ˌbreɪk wɪð ðə ˈpɑːstǁ-ˈpæst/ [verb phrase]
to stop doing things the way they have always been done in the past :
▪ The Church has finally broken with tradition and allowed women into the ministry.
▪ I think it’s time to break with the past and rewrite the constitution.
▷ a break with tradition/a break with the past /ə ˌbreɪk wɪð trəˈdɪʃ ə n, ə ˌbreɪk wɪð ðə ˈpɑːstǁ -ˈpæst/ [noun phrase]
when you stop doing things the way they have always been done in the past :
▪ In a significant break with tradition, the Queen will not attend this year’s ceremony.
▪ Political leaders are calling for a break with the past and a new spirit of cooperation.