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

• adherence
• compliance
• observation
• conformity

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

At the annual observance at the 9/11 Memorial in lower Manhattan, family members of the victims read aloud the names of those killed in the 9/11 attacks and in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. —Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2025

Banks and post offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 1 in observance of the Labor Day holiday, however most major restaurant, grocery and retail store chains will remain open on the holiday. —Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2025

Some local businesses will be close their registers or limit store hours in observance of Labor Day in 2025. —Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Costco is closing all 634 stores across the United States on Monday, September 1, 2025, in observance of Labor Day. —Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English observaunce, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French observance, borrowed from Latin observantia "action of watching, deferential regard, adherence to rules" (Late Latin also "adherence to divine law, religious rites"), derivative of observant-, observans, present participle of observāre "to give attention to, observe"

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