observance

1 the following of a custom, rule, or law the observance of this family tradition would make your grandmother very happy observance of the smoking ban in public buildings Synonyms abidance, adherence, compliance, conformance, conformity, keeping, obedience, observation Related Words deference, honor, regard, respect, upholding; accession, acquiescence, submission, surrender; attendance, attention, heed, notice Near Antonyms brush-off, disregard, ignoring; delinquency, dereliction, forgetting, neglect, overlooking; offense (or offence), sin, wrong; challenge, defiance, flouting, rebellion Antonyms breach, contravention, infraction, infringement, nonobservance, transgression, trespass, violation

2 an oft-repeated action or series of actions performed in accordance with tradition or a set of rules some religions require very specific observances on holy days Synonyms ceremonial, ceremony, form, formality, rite, ritual, solemnityRelated Words amenities, civility, decorum, etiquette, graces, proprieties; protocol; convention, custom, habit, manners, mores, practice (also practise), standard, tradition, way; celebration, service

3 a state of being aware if you've been doing any significant housecleaning, it has escaped my observance Synonyms advertence, advertency, awareness, cognizance, consciousness, ear, eye, heed, knowledge, mindfulness, note, notice, attention, observationRelated Words hyperawareness, hyperconsciousness; advisement, care, concern, consideration, regard, watch; apprehension, discernment, grasp, mind, perception, recognition, thought, understandingNear Antonyms disregard, neglect, obliviousness, unawareness