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

“Simply put, no changes to ordinance proposals would materially reduce prospects of wider scale dilution and would negatively impact shares,” they add.

From The Wall Street Journal

In Santa Ana, city officials recently approved an ordinance to ban the use of rent-pricing algorithms — software that analyzes data used by property managers to understand the market and consumer preferences.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr. Olivier is trying to challenge an ordinance in Brandon, Miss., that restricts protests near a public amphitheater.

From The Wall Street Journal

As a city council member, Raman has delivered several major wins celebrated by DSA members, including strengthening renter protections and passing the first reform to the city’s rent stabilization ordinance in decades.

From Los Angeles Times

The country’s very first poly-friendly city ordinance came about almost by happenstance.

From Los Angeles Times