Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Tradition \Tra*di"tion\, n. [OE. tradicioun, L. traditio, from
   tradere to give up, transmit. See {Treason}, {Traitor}.]
   1. The act of delivering into the hands of another; delivery.
      ``A deed takes effect only from the tradition or
      delivery.'' --Blackstone.

   2. The unwritten or oral delivery of information, opinions,
      doctrines, practices, rites, and customs, from father to
      son, or from ancestors to posterity; the transmission of
      any knowledge, opinions, or practice, from forefathers to
      descendants by oral communication, without written
      memorials.

   3. Hence, that which is transmitted orally from father to
      son, or from ancestors to posterity; knowledge or belief
      transmitted without the aid of written memorials; custom
      or practice long observed.

            Will you mock at an ancient tradition begun upon an
            honorable respect?                    --Shak.

            Naught but tradition remains of the beautiful
            village of Grand-Pr['e].              --Longfellow.

   4. (Theol.)
      (a) An unwritten code of law represented to have been
          given by God to Moses on Sinai.

                Making the word of God of none effect through
                your tradition, which ye have delivered. --Mark
                                                  vii. 13.
      (b) That body of doctrine and discipline, or any article
          thereof, supposed to have been put forth by Christ or
          his apostles, and not committed to writing.

                Stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye
                have been taught, whether by word or our
                epistle.                          --2 Thess. ii.
                                                  15.

   {Tradition Sunday} (Eccl.), Palm Sunday; -- so called because
      the creed was then taught to candidates for baptism at
      Easter.

Tradition \Tra*di"tion\, v. t.
   To transmit by way of tradition; to hand down. [Obs.]

         The following story is . . . traditioned with very much
         credit amongst our English Catholics.    --Fuller.

Source : WordNet®

tradition
     n 1: an inherited pattern of thought or action
     2: a specific practice of long standing [syn: {custom}]