# ordinance

/ˈɔɹdənəns/ (US) · /ˈɔːdɪnəns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ordinance
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. local law

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a law or rule made by a city or local government rather than a national one.

For teachers: 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'.

### 2. religious ritual

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

a religious ceremony or practice that is required by a church.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The city passed a new ordinance to limit noise after midnight.
- Under the local zoning ordinance, residents are prohibited from running commercial businesses out of their private garages.
- While the state legislature debated broader environmental reforms, the city council enacted a strict ordinance banning single-use plastics within municipal limits to address immediate waste concerns.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.