observance

American  

[uhb-zur-vuhns] / əbˈzɜr vəns /

noun

1. an act or instance of following, obeying, or conforming to.

   the observance of traffic laws.

   Synonyms:

   heedfulness, adherence, compliance

2. a keeping or celebration by appropriate procedure, ceremonies, etc..

   the observance of the Sabbath.

3. a procedure, ceremony, or rite, as for a particular occasion.

   patriotic observances.

4. a rule or custom to be followed or obeyed; a customary practice.

5. Roman Catholic Church.

   1. a rule or discipline for a religious house or order.

   2. a house or order observing a rule or discipline.

6. an act or instance of watching, noting, or perceiving; observation.

7. respectful attention or service.

8. Archaic. courteous attention as to a person; dutiful service.

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observance British  

/ əbˈzɜːvəns /

noun

1. recognition of or compliance with a law, custom, practice, etc

2. the act of such recognition

3. a ritual, ceremony, or practice, esp of a religion

4. observation or attention

5. the degree of strictness of a religious order or community in following its rule

6. archaic respectful or deferential attention

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Other Word Forms

• preobservance noun

Etymology

Origin of observance

1175–1225; Middle English observaunce < Old French < Late Latin observantia, Latin: esteem, attention, derivative of observant- (stem of observāns ), present participle of observāre. See observe, -ance

Example Sentences

Markets are closed on Thursday in observance of Christmas.

From Barron's

Most students didn’t have phones with them in observance of Jewish law, so they shared the few available from friends to tell their parents that they were safe.

From The Wall Street Journal

Nicholson leading his fellow prisoners of war in dutiful observance of a wartime code of honor.

From The Wall Street Journal

But the annulment came too late to prevent observance of the holiday in most of Connecticut.

From The Wall Street Journal

Equity and fixed-income markets are closed in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

From Barron's

Related Words

• acknowledgment
• adherence
• celebration
• compliance
• fulfillment