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.
Abrego Garcia has no criminal record in the U.S., although his wife accused him of domestic violence and obtained a restraining order against him. Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Apr. 2025 Hollander had previously issued a temporary restraining order. Arkansas Online, 19 Apr. 2025 Among them was a restraining order following a domestic dispute between the pair. Will Carless, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025 The Los Angeles Rams legend reportedly filed for the temporary restraining order against Jenelle Anwar, who has allegedly been following him since 2020. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Restraining order.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restraining%20order. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

Legal Definition

restraining order

see order sense 3b

More from Merriam-Webster on restraining order

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