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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 group also filed for a temporary restraining order to stop the construction and prevent further planning for the event.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

He was also given a restraining order against contacting Dodsworth, who described the day of sentencing as challenging.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

A federal court in Texas may not stop a federal court in Rhode Island from adjudicating a case by issuing a glorified restraining order against the parties.

From Slate • May 19, 2026

A judge granted a temporary restraining order halting construction at the warehouse soon after Maryland filed its lawsuit.

From Slate • Apr. 27, 2026

The judge issued a temporary restraining order, barring the Times from printing more of the Pentagon Papers until the trial was concluded.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin

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