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.

The Vasquez Perdomo lawsuit resulted in an initial temporary restraining order that was upheld by the 9th Circuit.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

If you have a temporary or permanent restraining order in L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

That restraining order was later stayed by the Supreme Court.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

The Michigan judge’s temporary restraining order on Wednesday required the supplier to resume parts shipments to the Windsor factory until the case is heard next month.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

He’s probably writing a mental restraining order right now.

From "Please Ignore Vera Dietz" by A.S. King

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