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
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
Congress officially designated the last Monday in September to honor that observance.
—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
28 June 2026
The June nonfarm payrolls report is due out Thursday instead of the usual Friday because the market is closed Friday in observance of the Independence Day holiday.
—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
26 June 2026
Religious observances during this period are primarily associated with Shiite Muslims.
—
ABC News,
25 June 2026
The solemn observance honored the victims, survivors and first responders involved in the unprecedented search and recovery effort.
—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for observance
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
28 June 2026
The June nonfarm payrolls report is due out Thursday instead of the usual Friday because the market is closed Friday in observance of the Independence Day holiday.
—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
26 June 2026
Religious observances during this period are primarily associated with Shiite Muslims.
—
ABC News,
25 June 2026
The solemn observance honored the victims, survivors and first responders involved in the unprecedented search and recovery effort.
—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for observance
Cite this Entry
“Observance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/observance. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
