restraining order

noun

1

: a preliminary legal order sometimes issued to keep a situation unchanged pending decision upon an application for an injunction

2

: a legal order issued against an individual to restrict or prohibit access or proximity to another specified individual

Examples of restraining order in a Sentence

The judge issued a restraining order.

Recent Examples on the Web

The judge also has not yet ruled on Paxton’s motion to hold O’Rourke in contempt of court for holding the Fort Worth rally following her temporary restraining order issued in the case after Paxton filed the lawsuit on Aug. 8. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Aug. 2025

The other arrests involved unlawful possession of firearms, outstanding warrants for driving under the influence, and one arrest for violating a restraining order. —Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Among women who had obtained a restraining order, the risk rose to 70 percent. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 11 Aug. 2025

Paxton said later Friday that he had been granted a temporary restraining order halting the spending and fundraising while the case continues. —Arkansas Online, 9 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1780, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for restraining order

• boarder
• border
• corder
• warder
• camcorder
• disorder
• recorder
• reorder
• suborder
• transborder

Legal Definition

restraining order

see order sense 3b