ordinance

American  

[awr-dn-uhns] / ˈɔr dn əns /

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 British  

/ ˈɔːdɪnəns /

noun

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

---

Other Word Forms

• preordinance noun

Etymology

Origin of ordinance

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

Example Sentences

“Simply put, no changes to ordinance proposals would materially reduce prospects of wider scale dilution and would negatively impact shares,” they add.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

In Santa Ana, city officials recently approved an ordinance to ban the use of rent-pricing algorithms — software that analyzes data used by property managers to understand the market and consumer preferences.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Rather than addressing the shortage of homes, Santa Ana’s ordinance targets commonly used business tools that help property managers analyze market conditions and set appropriate rental rates.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Mr. Olivier is trying to challenge an ordinance in Brandon, Miss., that restricts protests near a public amphitheater.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Later, his son King Louis abolished the ordinance of the infantry and began to hire Swiss troops.

From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli