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

The United States Postal Service is also closed in observance of the holiday, so mail delivery services will be suspended until Tuesday. —Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025

United States stock markets will be closed on Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day. —Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 26 May 2025

There’s little controversy over the first national observance of what was then called Decoration Day. —Karl Mondon, Mercury News, 25 May 2025

Hoping to squeeze in a shopping trip on Memorial Day in Sacramento? Local businesses will be closing their registers or limiting store hours in observance of Memorial Day in 2025. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 23 May 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