Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

observance

[ uhb-zur-vuhns ]

noun

  1. an act or instance of following, obeying, or conforming to:

    the observance of traffic laws.

    Synonyms: , ,

  2. a keeping or celebration by appropriate procedure, ceremonies, etc.:

    the observance of the Sabbath.

  3. a procedure, ceremony, or rite, as for a particular occasion:

    patriotic observances.

  4. a rule or custom to be followed or obeyed; a customary practice.
  5. Roman Catholic Church.
    1. a rule or discipline for a religious house or order.
    2. a house or order observing a rule or discipline.
  6. an act or instance of watching, noting, or perceiving; observation.
  7. respectful attention or service.
  8. Archaic. courteous attention as to a person; dutiful service.


observance

/ əˈɜːəԲ /

noun

  1. recognition of or compliance with a law, custom, practice, etc
  2. the act of such recognition
  3. a ritual, ceremony, or practice, esp of a religion
  4. observation or attention
  5. the degree of strictness of a religious order or community in following its rule
  6. archaic.
    respectful or deferential attention
“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
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • o·aԳ noun
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of observance1

1175–1225; Middle English observaunce < Old French < Late Latin observantia, Latin: esteem, attention, derivative of observant- (stem of DzԲ ), present participle of Dz. See observe, -ance
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Chatsworth students had the day off from school Thursday in observance of Armenian Genocide Memorial Day.

From

Good Friday, a religious day of observance for Catholics and Christians, is not a federal holiday but some business operations are closed for the day.

From

With the peak of the shower coming during the first few hours of Earth Day, Krupp chuckled at the alignment of the galaxy’s display and our observance of the holiday.

From

In Southern California and across the country on Monday, dozens of businesses nationwide closed, schools reported lower attendance and families put off trips to the grocery store in observance of “A day without immigrants.”

From

November is Native American Heritage Month, a national observance since 1990.

From

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


observableobservant