Observance

//əbˈzɝvəns// noun

noun ·Common ·High school level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The practice of complying with a law, custom, command or rule. countable, uncountable
  2. 2
    the act of observing; taking a patient look wordnet
  3. 3
    The custom of celebrating a holiday or similar occasion. countable, uncountable
  4. 4
    conformity with law or custom or practice etc. wordnet
  5. 5
    Observation or the act of watching. countable, uncountable
Show 5 more definitions
  1. 6
    the act of noticing or paying attention wordnet
  2. 7
    A rule governing a religious order, especially in the Roman Catholic church. countable, uncountable

    "Thomas Merton was a monk in the Order of Cistertians of the Strict Observance."

  3. 8
    a formal event performed on a special occasion wordnet
  4. 9
    That which is to be observed. countable, uncountable
  5. 10
    Reverence; homage. countable, uncountable

Synonyms

All synonyms
ceremonynoticeobservationaccommodationaccordaccordance

Example

More examples

"Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."

Etymology

From Old French observance, from Latin observantia. Equivalent of observe + -ance.

Related phrases

Sabbath observanceroman catholic

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.