restraining order

American  

noun

Law.

• restraining orders
  plural

1. a judicial order to forbid a particular act until a decision is reached on an application for an injunction.

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restraining order British  

noun

1. law an order issued by a civil court to a potential abuser to keep away from those named in the order

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• restraining orders
  plural

Etymology

Origin of restraining order

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

restraining order

They also requested a temporary restraining order against the agency’s efforts to force an early review of its licenses.

From Salon ● Sep. 10, 2026

Kiffin was emboldened to do so when a restraining order from a Louisiana judge said players denied a fifth year of eligibility could return to college, even if they’d suited up for NFL preseason games.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

However, after the Postal Service issued its “final rule” for implementing the changes on Aug. 21, California and other litigants sued again last week — winning another temporary restraining order barring the work.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026

The court was told Jerome had been made subject to a restraining order in 2018 after attending Piper's home address, posting cards through her door and sending letters by post to her.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

Mom offered to go over and smooth things out, but I think that Dad and I both realized that given her temper, her diplomatic mission might end up with a restraining order against our family.

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman