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restraining order

American

noun

Law.

a judicial order to forbid a particular act until a decision is reached on an application for an injunction.

restraining order British

noun

law an order issued by a civil court to a potential abuser to keep away from those named in the order

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of restraining order

First recorded in 1875–80

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.

Palacios’ attorney, Stacie Halpern, said Tuesday she could not immediately comment on the allegations in the restraining order.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

He was also given a restraining order against contacting Dodsworth, who described the day of sentencing as challenging.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

A federal court in Texas may not stop a federal court in Rhode Island from adjudicating a case by issuing a glorified restraining order against the parties.

From Slate • May 19, 2026

"Why does GPT 5.5 have a restraining order against 'Raccoons,' 'Goblins,' and 'Pigeons'?"

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

“This is a restraining order forbidding you from working at T. J. Raney High School.”

From "The Lions of Little Rock" by Kristin Levine

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023