matingritual
nounUK /ˈmeɪtɪŋ ˈrɪtʃuəl/
US /ˈmeɪtɪŋ ˈrɪtʃuəl/
A special dance or action animals do to find a partner.
The peacock spreads its feathers as part of its mating ritual.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A set of actions people do when trying to attract a romantic partner.
His awkward jokes were part of his clumsy mating ritual.
3. A repeated pattern of behavior in animals that leads to reproduction.
Scientists studied the mating ritual of the firefly.
4. Any elaborate series of steps performed to win someone's attention.
The dance was like a mating ritual for the whole town.