ordinance
Americannoun
-
an authoritative rule or law; a decree or command.
- Synonyms:
- order
-
a public injunction or regulation.
a city ordinance against excessive horn blowing.
- Synonyms:
- order
-
something believed to have been ordained, as by a deity or destiny.
-
Ecclesiastical.
-
an established rite or ceremony.
-
a sacrament.
-
the communion.
-
noun
Other Word Forms
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
Explanation
An ordinance is a local law. Many cities have recently passed ordinances making it illegal to smoke indoors or mandatory for pet owners to curb their dogs. Ordinance can also mean the act of making someone a priest. In both senses, it means a direction or command coming down from a higher authority or an official conference. If you break an ordinance, you'll likely be fined rather than jailed. Remember that an ordinance is a rule meant to keep things in order.
Vocabulary lists containing ordinance
Election Lingo
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The Crucible" -- Vocabulary from all 4 Acts
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"The Crucible" -- Vocabulary from Act 1
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Authorities claimed that because Ms. Kwok was listed as the beneficiary, her father had attempted to handle the funds of an “absconder” in violation of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026
While we've updated some policies, the City of Los Angeles has not updated the actual formula that caps rent increases since the Rent Stabilization Ordinance was created over 40 years ago.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 12, 2025
Los Angeles beefed up its Home-Sharing Ordinance in March, calling for increased fines and more staff to monitor violations.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 2, 2025
Housing Department said that as of October 2024, there were an estimated 7,500 violations of the Home-Sharing Ordinance, but only 300 citations.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 18, 2025
For over a year he served as chair of the Board of War and Ordinance, playing the role of secretary of war during the most tense and uncertain phase of the fighting.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
