observance
nounUS /əbˈzɝvəns/ · UK /əbˈzɜːvəns/
Etymology From Old French observance, from Latin observantia. Equivalent of observe + -ance.
1
The practice of complying with a law, custom, command or rule.
2
The custom of celebrating a holiday or similar occasion.
3
Observation or the act of watching.
4
Lifestyle, Religion A rule governing a religious order, especially in the Roman Catholic church.
- Thomas Merton was a monk in the Order of Cistertians of the Strict Observance.
5
That which is to be observed.
6
Reverence; homage.
- Antonyms
- misobservance
- Derived terms
- disobservance, hyperobservance, inobservance, misobservance, nonobservance, Sabbath observance, unobservance