Word
ordinance
Phoneticsor·di·nance, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɔɹdənəns/
UK/ˈɔːdɪnəns/
Definitions
01local law
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Formal
n. a law or rule made by a city or local government rather than a national one.
n. a municipal regulation or local law enacted by a city or county government.
“The city council passed a new ordinance that forbids smoking in public parks.”
“Under the new municipal ordinance, property owners are strictly required to clear snow from the sidewalks in front of their buildings within twenty-four hours.”
Usage
Often used with verbs like 'pass', 'enact', or 'violate'.
Pitfall
The city passed a new ordnance about parking.
The city passed a new ordinance about parking.
Do not confuse 'ordinance' (a law) with 'ordnance' (military weapons and ammunition).
Synonyms
02religious ritual
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Religion Formal · Technical
n. a religious ceremony or practice that is required by a church.
n. a religious rite or ceremony established by an ecclesiastical authority.
“The church members gathered to observe the sacred ordinance of communion.”
“The theologian argued that these specific ordinances were essential to the spiritual life of the community, serving as visible signs of their shared faith.”
Teaching tip
In modern English, this sense is almost exclusively found in formal theological discussions or specific church documents.
Real-World Examples
“Camarena's company uses electric tools where they're required to, in cities with ordinances banning petrol tools.” “For example, in Chicago, which has had a citywide anti-idling ordinance since 2009, only about 800 citations have been issued in the past 15 years.” Etymology
From Middle English ordinaunce (ca. 1300), from Old French ordenance (“decree, command”) (modern French ordonnance), from Medieval Latin ordinantia, from ordinans, the present participle of ordino (“put in order”) (whence ordain). Doublet of ordonnance.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/ordinance