tradition
HighNeutral
Definition
Meaning
A belief, custom, or way of doing something that has existed for a long time, often passed down from generation to generation.
Can refer to a set of such beliefs or customs associated with a particular group, society, or field, implying continuity, cultural identity, or historical significance.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often carries connotations of stability, heritage, and cultural value; can be used positively or negatively depending on context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal; both varieties use the word similarly. Slight variations in collocations, e.g., 'bank holiday tradition' in UK vs 'national holiday tradition' in US.
Connotations
Similarly perceived; implies respect for the past and cultural continuity in both.
Frequency
Equally common in British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
tradition of [verb-ing]tradition in [field]tradition that [clause]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “break with tradition”
- “uphold the tradition”
- “time-honored tradition”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to company traditions, such as annual events or long-standing practices that define corporate culture.
Academic
Used in disciplines like anthropology, history, and sociology to discuss cultural or historical traditions and their impacts.
Everyday
Common in discussions about family, holidays, and social customs, e.g., Christmas traditions or wedding traditions.
Technical
In fields like folklore or ethnography, it denotes specific practices or beliefs transmitted orally or through practice.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- In some villages, they tradition the maypole dance each spring.
American English
- The tribe traditions its origin stories through annual gatherings.
adverb
British English
- Traditionally, the queen's speech is broadcast on Christmas Day.
American English
- The game is traditionally played on Thanksgiving morning.
adjective
British English
- The traditional bonfire night celebration is on November 5th.
American English
- Traditional Fourth of July parades feature flags and music.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We have a family tradition of eating cake on birthdays.
- Christmas is a time for traditions.
- The school has a long tradition of academic excellence.
- Breaking with tradition, they decided to have a beach wedding.
- Cultural traditions play a vital role in preserving heritage.
- The tradition of afternoon tea is deeply ingrained in British society.
- Anthropologists study how traditions evolve and adapt over time.
- The corporation's tradition of innovation has driven its success for decades.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'TRADition' as something TRADed or passed down from generation to generation, like a family heirloom.
Conceptual Metaphor
Tradition as a foundation or chain; something that supports or connects the past to the present.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Direct translation to 'традиция' is accurate, but note that 'tradition' can be more abstract or broader in context.
- Avoid confusing with 'обычай' which is more specific to custom; 'tradition' often implies historical continuity.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'tradition' as a verb in standard modern English, e.g., 'We tradition this every year.' – correct is 'We observe this tradition every year.'
- Misspelling as 'traditon' or 'tradiction'.
- Overusing in contexts where 'custom' or 'practice' might be more appropriate.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'tradition' primarily refer to?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, traditions can be perceived positively as preserving culture or negatively as hindering progress, depending on context.
Rarely; in standard modern English, 'tradition' is primarily a noun. The verb forms are usually 'hand down' or 'perpetuate'.
'Tradition' often implies a longer history and broader cultural significance, while 'custom' can be more specific and recent.
Use it to refer to established practices or beliefs in a field, e.g., 'the tradition of qualitative research in sociology.'
Collections
Part of a collection
Travel and Culture
B1 · 48 words · Cultural experiences and traveling the world.
Cultural Topics
B2 · 47 words · Analyzing culture, society and identity.
Literary Language
C1 · 48 words · Vocabulary for reading and writing about literature.
Advanced Literary Vocabulary
C2 · 50 words · Technical terms for advanced literary analysis.