custom
see also BEHAVIOUR, HABIT
- a way of behaving that a particular group has had for a long time: custom (noun C/U); adjective: customary
It's the custom in Britain to say 'Bless you!' to somebody when they sneeze. ◎ If you go to live in a place, you should try to accept local customs. ◎ According to custom, we give presents at Christmas. ◎ It's customary for the bride to wear white.
- customs, beliefs, etc that have continued from the past to the present: tradition (noun C/U); adjective: traditional
We followed tradition and threw rice over the couple as they came out of the church. ◎ to break with tradition (= not to do sth which is traditional)
It's traditional to eat turkey on Christmas day.
- a social or religious custom that does not allow particular actions or words: taboo (plural taboos); adjective: taboo
strange customs and taboos ◎ taboo words ◎ Any swearing by men in the company of women was absolutely taboo.
- the customs, ideas, religion, art, music, literature, etc of a particular group or society: culture (noun C/U)
people of many different cultures ◎ changes in language and culture
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