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

Still, Hoffman praised Moster for expressing regret and called his return to Jewish observance a welcome, if incomplete, development. —Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2025

The end of the short trading week—U.S. markets were closed on Thursday in observance of Juneteenth—came as the White House said Thursday evening that President Donald Trump would decide within two weeks whether to strike Iran. —Ben Weiss, Fortune, 20 June 2025

For instance, all of the city’s public library locations and five of its six official cooling centers were closed to the public in observance of Juneteenth last year during a string of 90-degree days. —Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025

The trial will have a brief recess on June 19 in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 19 June 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