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
The movement has since evolved into the world's largest secular observance, with EarthDay.org estimating that over 1 billion people engage in Earth Day activities each year.
—
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
Yes, the stock market reopens on Easter Monday after it was closed for trading in observance of Good Friday, marked this year on April 18.
—Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2025
Many local businesses are shutting their doors in observance of Easter Sunday in 2025, while others will be open special holiday hours.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Catholic and Christian schools will typically be closed in observance of the holiday.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for observance
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Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
Yes, the stock market reopens on Easter Monday after it was closed for trading in observance of Good Friday, marked this year on April 18.
—Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2025
Many local businesses are shutting their doors in observance of Easter Sunday in 2025, while others will be open special holiday hours.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Catholic and Christian schools will typically be closed in observance of the holiday.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for observance
Cite this Entry
“Observance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/observance. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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
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