Definition

1. Noun:
   • A specific practice of long standing: A custom, belief, or way of doing something that has existed for a long time within a particular group of people, often passed down from generation to generation.
   • An inherited pattern of thought or action: A body of beliefs, principles, or practices that are handed down from the past, often serving as a cultural or social foundation.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • It is a family tradition to have a large dinner on Sundays. (This describes a long-standing custom within a family.)
  • The university has a long tradition of academic excellence. (This refers to an inherited pattern of achievement.)
  • According to tradition, the festival marks the beginning of spring. (This indicates a belief or practice based on historical custom.)

Advanced Usage

• "By tradition": According to the usual or historical custom.
  • By tradition, the eldest son inherits the property.
• "In the tradition of": Following the style or methods of a particular person, group, or historical period.
  • The artist works in the tradition of the great Renaissance painters.
• "Break with tradition": To stop following an established custom.
  • The new CEO decided to break with tradition and implement flexible working hours.

Variants and Related Words

• Traditional (adj): Following or belonging to the customs or ways of behaving that have continued in a group of people or society for a long time.
  • They wore traditional costumes for the ceremony.
• Traditionalist (n): A person who supports the established customs and beliefs of their society or group and does not want to change them.
  • He is a traditionalist who opposes modern architectural styles.
• Traditionally (adv): In a way that is according to or follows tradition.
  • The position has traditionally been held by a woman.

Synonyms

• Custom: A traditional and widely accepted way of behaving or doing something that is specific to a particular society, place, or time.
• Heritage: Valued objects and qualities such as cultural traditions, unspoiled countryside, and historic buildings that have been passed down from previous generations.
• Convention: A way in which something is usually done, especially within a particular area or activity.

Related Phrases

• Oral tradition: The cultural knowledge and traditions passed down through speech or song from one generation to the next, rather than being written.
  • Many ancient stories were preserved through oral tradition.
• Handed-down tradition: A tradition that is explicitly passed from older people to younger ones.
  • The recipe is a handed-down tradition from my great-grandmother.

Idioms

• Old traditions die hard: It is difficult to make people change their old habits or customs.
  • We tried to introduce a new system, but old traditions die hard.
• Steeped in tradition: Deeply influenced by or full of tradition.
  • The ceremony was steeped in tradition.

Noun

1. a specific practice of long standing
2. an inherited pattern of thought or action