ordinance

or·di·nance  (ôrdn-ns)

n.

1. An authoritative command or order.

2. A custom or practice established by long usage.

3. A Christian rite, especially the Eucharist.

4. A statute or regulation, especially one enacted by a city government.

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[Middle English ordinaunce, from Old French ordenance, from Medieval Latin rdinantia, from Latin rdinns, rdinant-, present participle of rdinre, to ordain, from rd, rdin-, order; see ar- in Indo-European roots.]

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ordinance

Noun

an official rule or order [Latin ordinare to set in order]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	ordinance - an authoritative rule regulation game law - a regulation intended to manage or preserve game animals prescript, rule - prescribed guide for conduct or action age limit - regulation establishing the maximum age for doing something or holding some position assize - the regulation of weights and measures of articles offered for sale speed limit - regulation establishing the top speed permitted on a given road
	2.	ordinance - a statute enacted by a city government legislative act, statute - an act passed by a legislative body law, jurisprudence - the collection of rules imposed by authority; "civilization presupposes respect for the law"; "the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order"
	3.	ordinance - the act of ordaining; the act of conferring (or receiving) holy orders; "the rabbi's family was present for his ordination" ordination appointment, designation, naming, assignment - the act of putting a person into a non-elective position; "the appointment had to be approved by the whole committee" laying on of hands - laying hands on a person's head to invoke spiritual blessing in Christian ordination holy order - the sacrament of ordination

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ordinance

noun rule, order, law, ruling, standard, guide, direction, principle, command, regulation, guideline, criterion, decree, canon, statute, fiat, edict, dictum, precept