Definition

1. Noun:
   • An authoritative rule or order: A regulation or command issued by an authority, especially a local government.
   • A statute enacted by a municipal authority: A law or rule made by a city or town government.
   • The act of ordaining; the act of conferring holy orders: The ceremony or process of appointing someone to a religious ministry.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The city council passed an ordinance restricting noise after 10 PM.
  • The new ordinance requires all dogs to be on leashes in public parks.
  • He attended the ordinance of his friend as a priest.

Advanced Usage

• "To be in violation of an ordinance": to break a local law or rule.
  • The business was fined for being in violation of a zoning ordinance.
• "To enact an ordinance": to officially establish a local law.
  • The town voted to enact an ordinance to preserve the historic district.

Variants and Related Words

• Ordain (verb): To confer holy orders upon someone; to order or decree something officially.
  • She was ordained as a minister last year.
• Ordinand (noun): A candidate for ordination.
  • The ordinands prepared for the ceremony.

Synonyms

• Regulation: An official rule or law.
• Decree: An official order issued by a legal authority.
• Bylaw: A rule made by a local authority to regulate its own affairs.
• Edict: An official order or proclamation issued by a person in authority.

Related Phrases

• Zoning ordinance: A local law that regulates land use and building specifications in specific areas.
  • They needed a variance from the zoning ordinance to build a taller fence.
• Ordinance of secession: A historical term for a declaration by a U.S. state to leave the Union.
  • The Ordinance of Secession was a pivotal document in the lead-up to the Civil War.

Noun

1. the act of ordaining; the act of conferring (or receiving) holy orders
   • the rabbi's family was present for his ordination
2. a statute enacted by a city government
3. an authoritative rule