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

By contrast, there was no observance of Latino or Asian heritage months, despite being the two largest ethnic groups. —Laura Clawson, JSTOR Daily, 25 Sep. 2025

The event is part of the San Diego Public Library’s observance of Banned Books Week. —La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025

Conference speakers remembered Kirk and incorporated the activist's memory in religious observances. —Liam Adams, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Sep. 2025

Yet the lack of an observance on Kirk’s death from about half the host clubs in week two of the NFL season incurred hostile coverage from right-wing media including The New York Post, Breitbart, and Fox News, which dutifully covered these programming choices as an insult to a great patriot. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 16 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