ordinance

UK: /ˈɔːdɪnəns/ US: /ˈɔrdənəns/ ,(ôr′dn əns)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

or•di•nance /ˈɔrdənəns/   n. [countable]

1. Government a public regulation, rule, or order:
   a city ordinance.

See -ord-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

or•di•nance  (ôr′dn əns), n. 

1. an authoritative rule or law;
   a decree or command.
2. a public injunction or regulation:
   a city ordinance against excessive horn blowing.
3. something believed to have been ordained, as by a deity or destiny.
4. Religion [Eccles.]
   • an established rite or ceremony.
   • a sacrament.
   • the communion.

• Medieval Latin ordinantia, derivative of Latin ordinant- (stem of ordināns), present participle of ordināre to arrange. See ordination, -ance
• Old French ordenance)
• Middle English ordinaunce (1275–1325

Synonyms

• 1, 2. order.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

ordinance / ˈɔːdɪnəns/ noun

1. an authoritative regulation, decree, law, or practice

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French ordenance, from Latin ordināre to set in order