traditional
adjective
tra·di·tion·al
trə-ˈdish-nəl 
-ˈdi-shə-nᵊl
1
: of or relating to tradition : consisting of or derived from tradition
a traditional celebration
2
: handed down from age to age
traditional history
traditional songs/stories
3
: following or conforming to tradition : adhering to past practices or established conventions
traditional morality
traditional values/beliefs
employing traditional methods of cooking
traditionally
adverb
a dish traditionally made with egg yolks, cream, and sugar
a seating area traditionally reserved for the church's leaders
Examples of traditional in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That astonishing move is part of a larger pattern emerging in the Biden Administration, which has adopted an approach to trade policy that goes against traditional U.S. foreign policy.
—
Ed Brzytwa, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2024
Tiger Prop already charged sellers a 2% broker fee, according to a business flyer, vs. 3% charged in a traditional deal in which the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent split the 6% fee.
—Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 15 Apr. 2024
Since the company began sharing performance metrics last year, there have been discussions about basing pay for filmmakers and actors on a film’s performance, similar to how the traditional studios reward them when movies perform well at the box office.
—Nicole Sperling, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2024
Ryan Reynolds is celebrating Rob McElhenney’s 47th birthday in the traditional manner — with a prank!
—Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 14 Apr. 2024
The Spa Given the resort setting and the legacy of traditional Thai massage, Anantara Chiang Rai boasts a fantastic spa with an extensive menu of therapies.
—Tanvi Chheda, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2024
That burden is one reason many Americans put off major traditional milestones, like buying a house, getting married or having kids.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 13 Apr. 2024
Squalane imparts a soft and moisturizing feel, transforming it into a lightweight, nourishing lotion rather than a traditional sunscreen.
—Kathleen Suico, Allure, 13 Apr. 2024
Now the only traditional neighborhood high schools that South Shore families can send their children to are outside of South Shore.
—Geraldo Cadava, The New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2024
Ed Brzytwa, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2024
Tiger Prop already charged sellers a 2% broker fee, according to a business flyer, vs. 3% charged in a traditional deal in which the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent split the 6% fee.
—Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 15 Apr. 2024
Since the company began sharing performance metrics last year, there have been discussions about basing pay for filmmakers and actors on a film’s performance, similar to how the traditional studios reward them when movies perform well at the box office.
—Nicole Sperling, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2024
Ryan Reynolds is celebrating Rob McElhenney’s 47th birthday in the traditional manner — with a prank!
—Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 14 Apr. 2024
The Spa Given the resort setting and the legacy of traditional Thai massage, Anantara Chiang Rai boasts a fantastic spa with an extensive menu of therapies.
—Tanvi Chheda, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2024
That burden is one reason many Americans put off major traditional milestones, like buying a house, getting married or having kids.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 13 Apr. 2024
Squalane imparts a soft and moisturizing feel, transforming it into a lightweight, nourishing lotion rather than a traditional sunscreen.
—Kathleen Suico, Allure, 13 Apr. 2024
Now the only traditional neighborhood high schools that South Shore families can send their children to are outside of South Shore.
—Geraldo Cadava, The New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'traditional.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing traditional
Dictionary Entries Near traditional
Cite this Entry
“Traditional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/traditional. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
traditional
adjective
tra·di·tion·al
trə-ˈdish-nəl,
-ən-ᵊl
1
: handed down from age to age without writing
2
: based on custom
our traditional Thanksgiving dinner
traditionally
adverb
-ē
More from Merriam-Webster on traditional
Nglish: Translation of traditional for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of traditional for Arabic Speakers
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