observance

[ uhb-zur-vuhns ]

/ əbˈzɜr vəns /

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noun

an act or instance of following, obeying, or conforming to: the observance of traffic laws.

a keeping or celebration by appropriate procedure, ceremonies, etc.: the observance of the Sabbath.

a procedure, ceremony, or rite, as for a particular occasion: patriotic observances.

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

Roman Catholic Church.

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

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

respectful attention or service.

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

OTHER WORDS FOR observance

1 compliance, adherence, heedfulness.

See synonyms for observance on Thesaurus.com

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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

OTHER WORDS FROM observance

pre·ob·serv·ance, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH observance

observance , observation

Words nearby observance

obsequies, obsequious, obsequiousness, obsequy, observable, observance, observant, observation, observational, observation car, observation post

How to use observance in a sentence

Universal observance of safety guidelines was surely going to be sufficient to limit viral spread.
The U.S. COVID-19 Outbreak Is Still Bad—And It Could Get Worse|Chris Wilson|June 23, 2021|Time
There was nothing about his faith observance, his associate’s degree and his performance work.
The American parole system is an endless trap — and a moral outrage|Jennifer Miller|May 24, 2021|Washington Post
The superintendent said his staff identified the 15 observance days by looking through Fairfax attendance data to find any day on which student or staff observances exceeded the average at least once over the past five years.
Fairfax declines to add four Jewish, Muslim and Hindu holidays to calendar|Hannah Natanson|March 19, 2021|Washington Post
The quarantine has shown its effectiveness in controlling the situation here and a strict observance of its rules will soon bring the bugs to time again.
Lessons From the 1918 Influenza Pandemic on How to Celebrate the Holidays Amid COVID-19|Olivia B. Waxman|December 21, 2020|Time

Finally, Term Sheet will be off on Monday in observance of Labor Day!
When a venture capital-backed merger goes awry|Lucinda Shen|September 4, 2020|Fortune
Even for Washington and Lincoln one observance day was enough.
Embodying Franklin Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms Remains a Vital Challenge|Harvey J. Kaye|April 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The conversion process has become longer and more complex, requiring an uncompromising observance of halakhic precepts.
In Italy, a Traditional Jewish Lifestyle is Disappearing|Anna Momigliano|December 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Virtually the entire city of Dallas seems to be involved in planning one memorial observance or another.
Dallas Lays Elaborate but Dignified Plans to Celebrate Assassination Anniversary|Helen Anders|November 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He does not wear a skullcap, the most prominent marker of Orthodox observance.
Natan Sharansky Mediates Jerusalem’s Western Wall Dispute|Dan Ephron|February 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
One salient difference between the U.S. and U.K. is the level of religious observance.
British Conservatives: Out and Proud|Peter Jukes|February 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The observance, under various phases, is described in Scripture as an undisputed and indisputable reality.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
All things that could give solemnity to an observance unite to invest this with a devout character.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
The devotional reading of the story is a most natural and helpful observance of the Easter season.
His Last Week|William E. Barton
The observance is incumbent on an individual in a certain condition; but his heart is against it.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
The prophet prayeth to be delivered from his enemies, and preacheth up the observance of the sabbath.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various

British Dictionary definitions for observance

observance

/ (əbˈzɜːvəns) /

noun

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

the act of such recognition

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

observation or attention

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

archaic respectful or deferential attention

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

observance

OTHER WORDS FOR observance

Origin of observance

OTHER WORDS FROM observance

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH observance

Words nearby observance

Words related to observance

How to use observance in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for observance