ordinance

[ awr-dn-uhns ]

noun

1. an authoritative rule or law; a decree or command.

   Synonyms: order

2. a public injunction or regulation:

   a city ordinance against excessive horn blowing.

   Synonyms: order

3. something believed to have been ordained, as by a deity or destiny.
4. Ecclesiastical.
   1. an established rite or ceremony.
   2. a sacrament.
   3. the communion.

ordinance

/ ˈɔːdɪnəns /

noun

1. an authoritative regulation, decree, law, or practice

Other Words From

• pre·ordi·nance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ordinance¹

1275–1325; Middle English ordinaunce (< Old French ordenance ) < Medieval Latin ordinantia, derivative of Latin ordinant- (stem of ordināns ), present participle of ordināre to arrange. See ordination, -ance

Word History and Origins

Origin of ordinance¹

C14: from Old French ordenance, from Latin ordināre to set in order

Example Sentences

Since then, the Louisville Metro Council unanimously voted to pass “Breonna’s Law,” an ordinance that bans the use of no-knock warrants.

From Vox

The ordinance will require that hotels of 200 rooms or more give laid-off employees a chance to apply for positions as they open up before extending offers to others.

From Voice of San Diego

The ordinance would not just extend to union workers, but all service and hospitality workers.

From Voice of San Diego

The ordinance also, though, covers conflicts of interest involving future employers.

From Voice of San Diego

In the years that followed, cities began adopting ordinances that instead split land into economic zones, with distinct areas for industrial activity, commercial businesses, multifamily housing and single-family housing.

From Voice of San Diego

Call 575-8330 and tell the Fayetteville City Council members and Mayor Jordan to vote ‘no’ on ordinance 119.

From The Daily Beast

Olenicoff was looking to spend $100,000 to $250,000 per the city ordinance requirements.

From The Daily Beast

On October 2011, the prefecture established an ordinance imposing fines and potential jail time.

From The Daily Beast

C.J. Grisham of OpenCarryTexas.org mostly spoke out against a San Antonio ordinance that outlaws the open carry of loaded weapons.

From The Daily Beast

DC, alas, does not have an ordinance against such plants, though local laws against bamboo are apparently rising in popularity.

From The Daily Beast

Who, by not observing the ordinance of Covenanting would practically say, that it ought to be abolished?

From Project Gutenberg

That State with which the Church could not be connected, so as to enjoy her own privileges, cannot be the ordinance of God.

From Project Gutenberg

The friends of truth cannot justifiably persevere in supporting the British Constitution as the ordinance of God.

From Project Gutenberg

Why is an evil government at one period viewed as the ordinance of God, and at another as worthy of being overthrown?

From Project Gutenberg

Though some approved of them as the ordinance of God, yet, at the Revolution, the nation declared that they were not.

From Project Gutenberg