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

The first ordinance applied to buildings erected before 1975 and was focused primarily on downtown.

From Los Angeles Times

Raman, who chairs the council’s Housing and Homelessness committee, has championed some traditionally progressive measures, such as just-cause eviction protections and strengthening the city’s rent stabilization ordinance.

From Los Angeles Times

The ordinance must come back for another council vote later this year.

From Los Angeles Times

The ordinance, which also applies to communications between commissioners and elected officials’ staff, is expected to go into effect in about a month.

From Los Angeles Times

The Santa Barbara Independent reported that the supervisors will vote on a second and final reading of the ordinance on January 27.

From Los Angeles Times