observance
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.
Origin of observance
1Other words for observance
Other words from observance
- pre·ob·serv·ance, noun
Words that may be confused with observance
- observance , observation
Words Nearby observance
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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 | TimeThere 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 PostThe 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 PostThe 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 | TimeFinally, Term Sheet will be off on Monday in observance of Labor Day!
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 | THE DAILY BEASTThe 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 | THE DAILY BEASTVirtually 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 | THE DAILY BEASTHe 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 | THE DAILY BEASTOne salient difference between the U.S. and U.K. is the level of religious observance.
The observance, under various phases, is described in Scripture as an undisputed and indisputable reality.
The Ordinance of Covenanting | John CunninghamAll things that could give solemnity to an observance unite to invest this with a devout character.
The Ordinance of Covenanting | John CunninghamThe devotional reading of the story is a most natural and helpful observance of the Easter season.
His Last Week | William E. BartonThe observance is incumbent on an individual in a certain condition; but his heart is against it.
The Ordinance of Covenanting | John CunninghamThe 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
/ (əbˈzɜːvəns) /
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
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