restraining order

noun

1

: a preliminary legal order sometimes issued to keep a situation unchanged pending decision upon an application for an injunction

2

: a legal order issued against an individual to restrict or prohibit access or proximity to another specified individual

Examples of restraining order in a Sentence

The judge issued a restraining order.

Recent Examples on the Web

Police sought a gun violence restraining order, which must be approved by a judge and is intended for crisis intervention. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026

The law allows police, family and friends to get a judge to issue a gun violence restraining order to prevent an individual from getting access to firearms. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026

In late summer 2017, Amanda found out that Moscatiello was investigating her and filed a civil harassment restraining order against the producer. —Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026

Santa Rosa resident Jason Lopez-Willis, 27, was arrested for misdemeanor violation of a domestic violence restraining order misdemeanor contempt of court for failing to comply. —Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 6 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1780, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for restraining order

• boarder
• border
• corder
• warder
• camcorder
• disorder
• recorder
• reorder
• suborder
• transborder

Legal Definition

restraining order

see also:

order sense 3b