ordinance

[awr-dn-uhns]

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

/ ˈɔːdɪnəns /

noun

1. an authoritative regulation, decree, law, or practice

Other Word Forms

• preordinance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ordinance¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ordinance¹

C14: from Old French ordenance, from Latin ordināre to set in order

Example Sentences

The city’s “Safe Stores are Staffed Stores” ordinance is the first of its kind in the country.

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“The ordinance is invalidly based. It violates my 1st Amendment rights.”

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A local ordinance on the appropriate use of phones, laptops and tablets came into force last week in Toyoake, a largely grey, concrete suburb of the industrial metropolis Nagoya.

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In addition, SB 79 would not apply to apartment buildings with three or more units if they are regulated by a city or county’s rent stabilization ordinance, which places limits on yearly rent increases.

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Last month, the council approved his motion for city staff to draft an interim ordinance that would prohibit the issuing of permits for RV parks built as public benefit projects.

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