noun
tradition
truh-DIHSH-uhn
noun
1
A custom, belief, or practice passed down within a family, community, or culture over generations.
"Lighting candles at dinner is a tradition in her family."
"The festival keeps alive a tradition that goes back centuries."
2
An established style, method, or school of thought associated with a particular field.
"The painter worked firmly within the tradition of Dutch realism."
How to Use Tradition
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething done a certain way because it has always been done that way, handed down over time.
Common pairings
a family tradition
break with tradition
according to tradition
a long tradition of
Word Forms
traditioned past tense, traditions plural, traditions singular
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Lighting candles at dinner is a _____ in her family.
Etymology
From Old French tradicion, from Latin trāditiō ("a handing over"), from trādō, "to hand down" — the same root that gives us "traitor" (someone who hands their country over to an enemy).