ordinance

noun

or·​di·​nance ˈȯr-də-nən(t)s  ˈȯrd-nən(t)s 

1

a

: an authoritative decree or direction : order

On that day the king signed three ordinances.

b

: a law set forth by a governmental authority

specifically : a municipal regulation

A city ordinance forbids construction work to start before 8 a.m.

2

: something ordained or decreed by fate or a deity

Let ordinance come as the gods foresay [=foretell] it.

—William Shakespeare

3

: a prescribed usage, practice, or ceremony

observes the ordinance of abstinence during Lent

Synonyms of ordinance

• law
• act
• bill
• amendment
• statute
• legislation

Choose the Right Synonym for ordinance

law, rule, regulation, precept, statute, ordinance, canon mean a principle governing action or procedure.

law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority.

obey the law

rule applies to more restricted or specific situations.

the rules of the game

regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system.

regulations affecting nuclear power plants

precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching.

the precepts of effective writing

statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body.

a statute requiring the use of seat belts

ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality.

a city ordinance

canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide.

the canons of good taste

Examples of ordinance in a Sentence

The town has passed a zoning ordinance limiting construction.

a local ordinance forbids all street parking during snowstorms

Recent Examples on the Web

The mayor pointed to the city’s adaptive reuse ordinance intended to spur the conversion of existing buildings into housing. —Paris Barraza, USA Today, 7 May 2026

The bill never got a hearing in the Senate, and McLean thanked local business owners for standing up for the ordinance, drawing applause from the crowd. —Idaho Statesman, 7 May 2026

According to the ordinance, if candidates do not file to both entities by the deadline, which was April 21, the county commission should inform the Platte County Board of Elections to disqualify the candidates and remove their names from the ballot. —Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026

The new ordinance will add red-light cameras to the northbound lanes of LeJeune Road and Northwest 36th Street, after a traffic study found one red-light violation roughly every 58 seconds. —Theo Karantsalis, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French ordenance order, disposition, from Medieval Latin ordinantia, from Latin ordinant-, ordinans, present participle of ordinare to put in order — more at ordain

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

ordinance

noun

or·​di·​nance ˈȯrd-nən(t)s 

-ᵊn-ən(t)s

: a law or regulation especially of a city or town

Legal Definition

ordinance

noun

or·​di·​nance ˈȯrd-ᵊn-əns 

: an authoritative decree or law

especially : a municipal regulation

a zoning ordinance