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

On Tuesday, for example, Los Angeles' city council passed a "sanctuary city" ordinance to bar using local resources to help federal immigration authorities.

From BBC

Particularly worrisome was a provision in the proposed ordinance that would require hotels to cover an hourly $8.35 “health payment” for workers on top of the wage hikes.

From Los Angeles Times

She ultimately lost her case in the California Supreme Court, but the ordinance was repealed two years later.

From Los Angeles Times

The city was preparing to sweep the street encampment, and this time would be arresting people under a new ordinance that bans camping in public spaces.

From Los Angeles Times

Mayor Karen Bass, in a statement, said she looks forward to “reviewing the final ordinance and continuing our work to keep all Angelenos safe.”

From Los Angeles Times