tradition

Pronunciation: /trəˈdɪʃən/

noun

Difficulty: common

Definition of tradition

tradition (noun): A long-established custom, belief, or practice that is handed down through generations, often carrying cultural or social significance.

Example: The tribe's oral tradition preserves the rich tapestry of its ancestral history, ensuring each generation remains connected to its roots.

Best for: common-difficulty vocabulary; learners who already know "custom" or "practice"; GRE Verbal (Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence); SAT Reading & Writing (Words in Context).

Origin of tradition

Language of origin: Latin

Root word: traditio

Original meaning: a handing over, delivery, or surrender

How it evolved: Initially referring to physical delivery or transfer, the term evolved to signify the metaphorical passing down of cultural or social practices.

Derived from Latin, the word originally referred to the act of handing something over or passing it along.

First known use: 14th century

How to Remember tradition

Think of 'tradition' as 'TRAveling addition'—a custom or belief that 'travels' through time, being 'added' to the next generation.

Synonyms for tradition

Antonyms of tradition

tradition in a Sentence

  1. The tribe's oral tradition preserves the rich tapestry of its ancestral history, ensuring each generation remains connected to its roots.
  2. In academia, the tradition of mentorship fosters the transmission of knowledge and values across generations of scholars.
  3. As the holidays approached, the family eagerly prepared for their annual tradition of lighting candles and sharing stories of the past.

tradition in Literature & Culture

Tradition is often invoked in literature and speeches to evoke a sense of identity, continuity, or resistance to change, as seen in works like Chinua Achebe's 'Things Fall Apart' or Martin Luther King Jr.'s call to uphold the 'traditions of justice.'

Usage Notes

Tradition often implies something widely accepted and valued within a culture or group, but it can also carry connotations of being resistant to change or progress when overemphasized.

Why tradition Matters for GRE & SAT

This word is important for GRE test-takers as it frequently appears in reading passages discussing cultural, historical, or societal concepts, often in the context of analyzing continuity versus change.

Word Family

traditional (adjective)
Relating to or based on tradition.
traditionally (adverb)
In a way that is based on tradition.
traditionalism (noun)
The upholding or maintenance of tradition, especially so as to resist change.

Did You Know?

  • The word 'tradition' is closely linked to the legal concept of 'traditio' in Roman law, which referred to the transfer of property.
  • Some traditions, such as the Olympic Games, date back thousands of years and continue to evolve over time.
  • The phrase 'breaking with tradition' is often used in literature to symbolize progress or rebellion.
  • orthodox
  • tacit — implied without being directly expressed
  • taciturn — of few words; speaking little
  • tact — skill in handling difficult situations without causing offense
  • tangential — only superficially relevant
  • tangible — capable of being touched; real or actual

More Vocabulary Words Starting with T

  • tacit — implied without being directly expressed
  • tacit — implied without being directly expressed
  • tacit — Understood or implied without being stated
  • taciturn — of few words; speaking little
  • taciturn — of few words; speaking little
  • tact — skill in handling difficult situations without causing offense
  • tact — skill in handling difficult situations without causing offense
  • tangential — only superficially relevant
  • tangential — only superficially relevant
  • tangible — capable of being touched; real or actual