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