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

Neither the House nor Senate are scheduled to vote on Thursday, in observance of the Yom Kippur holiday. —Erik Wasson, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025

Also in January, post offices across the United States closed for a national day of observance to honor former President Jimmy Carter, who died in December. —Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2025

No votes will be held between sundown Wednesday and sundown Thursday in observance of Yom Kippur. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025

Post offices across the country also closed in January for a national day of observance to honor former President Jimmy Carter, who died the previous month, The Charlotte Observer reported. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 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