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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Additionally, in a request for a restraining order, Hardman was accused of threatening someone’s life. Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024 In 2018, the Navajo Nation filed a motion for a temporary restraining order against the Arizona Secretary of State and officials from Apache, Coconino, and Navajo counties to protect Navajo voting rights in that election and to address future voter inequalities. Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 27 Nov. 2024 And only in 7% of those instances had a restraining order been issued for the male partner. Fatma Tanis, NPR, 25 Nov. 2024 One dance for Osage women strives to prevent anyone who has a restraining order from attending. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for restraining order 

Word History

First Known Use

1780, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of restraining order was in 1780

Dictionary Entries Near restraining order

Cite this Entry

“Restraining order.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restraining%20order. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Legal Definition

restraining order

see order sense 3b

More from Merriam-Webster on restraining order

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!