A ritual or ceremony signifying an event in a person's life indicative of a transition from one stage to another, as from adolescence to adulthood.
by caity123 June 04, 2006
A rite of passage is a ritual that marks a change in a person's social or sexual status. The term was popularised by the French ethnographer Arnold van Gennep (1873-1957), in the early part of the twentieth century.
1. Its important to see Black Sabbath at least once in a lifetime, if you can. Its a rite of passage.
2. A rite of passage can be a religious experience
2. A rite of passage can be a religious experience
by IRON MAN January 27, 2005
Prescribed forms of ceremony used to mark and celebrate significant events in the life stages of an individual; birth, puberty, marriage, ordination of a special role, death, etc.
by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ August 04, 2010
An activity someone older than you says will make you more mature, commonly idiotic, tedious, and/or destrictive.
"It's a rite of passage!" Shouted Uncle Mike, as I stared at the glass of motor oil and drain cleaner in front of me.
by Delicious Taffy November 22, 2015