observance

noun

ob·​ser·​vance əb-ˈzər-vən(t)s 

1

a

: a customary practice, rite, or ceremony

Sabbath observances

b

: a rule governing members of a religious order

2

: an act or instance of following a custom, rule, or law

observance of the speed limits

3

: an act or instance of watching

Synonyms

• abidance
• adherence
• compliance
• conformance
• conformity
• keeping
• obedience
• observation

Examples of observance in a Sentence

the observance of this family tradition would make your grandmother very happy

observance of the smoking ban in public buildings

Recent Examples on the Web

Memorial Day is almost here and several businesses and local services in the Charlotte area will be closed during the long weekend. Mecklenburg County offices and services, USPS and most banks, including Bank of America and Wells Fargo, will not be available in observance of the holiday. —Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 24 May 2024

Ayatollah Khamenei declared five days of mourning, and funeral observances began on Tuesday with a procession in Tabriz, the closest big city to the crash site in northwestern Iran. —Leily Nikounazar, New York Times, 22 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

observance

noun

ob·​ser·​vance əb-ˈzər-vən(t)s 

1

: an established practice or ceremony

religious observances

2

: an act of following a custom, rule, or law

3

: an act or instance of watching