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

Just as other holy observances, such as Christmas and the Hindu festival of Diwali, have evolved from holidays to weeks-long seasons, so too did the spirit of the Muslim holiday Eid – the final day of Ramadan – evolve for me this year. —Zohreen Shah, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2024

To commemorate the event, several guest speakers were invited to share their observance of the groundbreaking, including Fountain Hills Mayor Ginny Dickey and state Senator John Kavanagh. —Coleby Phillips, The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024

Word History

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