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 United States Postal Service is also closed in observance of the holiday, so mail delivery services will be suspended until Tuesday.
—
Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
United States stock markets will be closed on Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 26 May 2025
There’s little controversy over the first national observance of what was then called Decoration Day.
—Karl Mondon, Mercury News, 25 May 2025
Hoping to squeeze in a shopping trip on Memorial Day in Sacramento?
Local businesses will be closing their registers or limiting store hours in observance of Memorial Day in 2025.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for observance
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Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
United States stock markets will be closed on Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 26 May 2025
There’s little controversy over the first national observance of what was then called Decoration Day.
—Karl Mondon, Mercury News, 25 May 2025
Hoping to squeeze in a shopping trip on Memorial Day in Sacramento?
Local businesses will be closing their registers or limiting store hours in observance of Memorial Day in 2025.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 23 May 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 6 Jun. 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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