observance

noun ob·ser·vance \ əb-ˈzər-vən(t)s \

|Updated on: 17 Jul 2018

Examples: observance in a Sentence

Definition of observance

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

See observance defined for English-language learners

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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 of observance from the Web

When the iconic gift for a particular observance is a tie, what’s the point?

— john d'anna, azcentral, "On Father's Day, dads don't need (or want) you to go through the motions," 15 June 2018
When the iconic gift for a particular observance is a tie, what’s the point?

— john d'anna, USA TODAY, "Do we really need Father's Day? I'm a dad, and I don't think so," 15 June 2018
Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Calvin Coolidge eventually issued proclamations asking for the observance of Flag Day nationally.

— brenna williams, CNN, "#TBT: The origin of Flag Day, America's lesser-known patriotic holiday," 14 June 2018
In a poignant sense, every D-Day observance is the last one.

— logan jenkins, sandiegouniontribune.com, "French school named for North County D-Day veteran," 4 June 2018
Following the parade, a 30-minute observance will begin at 12:15 p.m. at the Naperville Community Concert Center in Central Park, 104 E. Benton Ave.

— michelle mullins, Naperville Sun, "This Week in Naperville," 25 May 2018
Memorial Day observances The Western Springs Memorial Day Parade will begin at 10 a.m. May 28 at Hillgrove and Prospect avenues and will travel east, staying north of the tracks and ending at the Western Springs Tower Green.

— diane dachota, chicagotribune.com, "Army chaplain and Lutheran minister to lead Western Springs Memorial Day parade," 15 May 2018
Their observances began with Yiddish singing and daffodils placed at the monument to a Jewish envoy in London, Szmul Zygielbojm, who committed suicide after the revolt was crushed to protest the world’s indifference to the Holocaust.

— Washington Post, "Poland marks 75th anniversary of uprising in Warsaw Ghetto," 19 Apr. 2018
That’s Interesting Civil rights icon and Georgia congressman John Lewis joined St. Joseph’s University’s observance of the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speech there Monday.

— aubrey nagle, Philly.com, "Starbucks protests continue, DA says Meek Mill should get new trial | Morning Newsletter," 17 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'observance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of observance

13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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observance Synonyms

OBSERVANCE Defined for English Language Learners

observance

noun

Definition of observance for English Language Learners

: the practice of following a custom, rule, law, etc.
: an act that is part of a ceremony or ritual

OBSERVANCE Defined for Kids

observance

noun ob·ser·vance \ əb-ˈzər-vəns \

Definition of observance for Students

1 : an established practice or ceremony

religious observances

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

Careful observance of the speed limit is a wise idea.

Learn More about observance

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for observance Spanish Central: Translation of observance Nglish: Translation of observance for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of observance for Arabic speakers

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observance

Definition of observance

Examples of observance in a Sentence

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OBSERVANCE Defined for English Language Learners

observance

Definition of observance for English Language Learners

OBSERVANCE Defined for Kids

observance

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