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

Medieval rabbinic discussions of the latter line underscore the divided thinking: one rabbi worries that converts will influence other Jews to become lax in their observance of God’s commandments; others fear that Jews will inevitably mistreat converts and suffer God’s punishment for it. —Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024

The next full-day market closure is on Wednesday, Dec. 25 in observance of Christmas. —Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024

The earliest reference to Halloween found in The Enquirer was in 1865, a description of the holiday observance in Scotland, with only a few other mentions over the next decades. —Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 28 Nov. 2024

Carroll County has been participating in Operation Green Light, a weeklong observance leading up to Veterans Day that involves displaying green exterior lighting on buildings. —Brennan Stewart, Baltimore Sun, 10 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English observaunce, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French observance, borrowed from Latin observantia "action of watching, deferential regard, adherence to rules" (Late Latin also "adherence to divine law, religious rites"), derivative of observant-, observans, present participle of observāre "to give attention to, observe"

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