ordinance

noun

ˈȯr-də-nən(t)s How to pronounce ordinance (audio)
Definition of ordinancenext
as in law
a rule of conduct or action laid down by a governing authority and especially a legislature a local ordinance forbids all street parking during snowstorms

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ordinance distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of ordinance are canon, law, precept, regulation, rule, and statute. While all these words mean "a principle governing action or procedure," ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality.

a city ordinance

When can canon be used instead of ordinance?

The words canon and ordinance can be used in similar contexts, but canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide.

the canons of good taste

In what contexts can law take the place of ordinance?

The meanings of law and ordinance largely overlap; however, law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority.

obey the law

When is precept a more appropriate choice than ordinance?

While in some cases nearly identical to ordinance, precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching.

the precepts of effective writing

Where would regulation be a reasonable alternative to ordinance?

While the synonyms regulation and ordinance are close in meaning, regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system.

regulations affecting nuclear power plants

When might rule be a better fit than ordinance?

The synonyms rule and ordinance are sometimes interchangeable, but rule applies to more restricted or specific situations.

the rules of the game

When could statute be used to replace ordinance?

The words statute and ordinance are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body.

a statute requiring the use of seat belts

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ordinance His city ordinance prohibiting landlords from renting to people in the country without legal status embroiled Farmers Branch in a seven-year-long legal battle that ended up costing the city $6.6 million. —Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2025 To expand options for families, the ordinance encourages developers to provide three-bedroom units within the 20% of floor area. —Roger Valdez, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025 Johnston’s platform for addressing homelessness includes micro-communities, wraparound services, and ordinance enforcement to channel folks into services. —Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 3 June 2025 Both men knew the Louisville ordinance would prevent Warley from moving in. —James Burling, Oc Register, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for ordinance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordinance
  1. law
  2. act
  3. bill
  4. amendment
  5. statute
  6. legislation
Noun
  • Asian Americans’ outrage over a judge’s leniency in the case — the assailants received $3,000 fines and no jail time — sparked a surge of activism seeking tougher hate crime laws nationwide.
    — Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 31 May 2025
  • Sunday marks the first batch — 83, to be exact — to become law.
    — Hannah Gaskill, Baltimore Sun, 31 May 2025
Definition of law
Noun
  • But Peter Wagner, executive director of the Prison Policy Initiative, says specific numbers aren't as important as simply the act of trying to quantify what incarceration does to families.
    — Meg Anderson, NPR, 3 June 2025
  • As a kid growing up in Macclesfield, Ellis loved MGMT, Vampire Weekend, Bombay Bicycle Club, and other indie acts.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 June 2025
Definition of act
Noun
  • The federal government often picks up the entire bill in big disasters and most of it in smaller ones.
    — Seth Borenstein, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2025
  • The bill also requires school boards to let parents submit comments electronically and adopt a policy for grievances.
    — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 June 2025
Definition of bill
Noun
  • It is now headed to the Senate for consideration, with amendments likely.
    — Zach LaChance, The Washington Examiner, 25 May 2025
  • Over the past week, the Budget committee released a draft and a chairman’s amendment as the bill went through markup.
    — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
Definition of amendment
Noun
  • The president is exempt from conflict of interest statutes, but legal experts andDemocrats charge the plane could violate the Constitution’s prohibition on federal officials taking gifts from foreign countries.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 June 2025
  • Thee different statutes would allow the Trump administration to advance its goals, subject to procedural checks on its power.
    — Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Definition of statute
Noun
  • Flood defended the legislation as necessary to avoid a tax increase at the end of the year, when the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expires, and the changes to Medicaid as reasonable reforms that will help protect benefits for deserving recipients in the long term.
    — Riley Beggin, USA Today, 29 May 2025
  • In a statement Thursday, RTA spokesperson Tina Fassett Smith said the agency was reviewing the Senate legislation but again stressed the need to get something done soon.
    — Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2025
Definition of legislation

Browse Nearby Words

orders
ordinance
ordinances
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ordinance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordinance. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on ordinance

Nglish: Translation of ordinance for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'Bring' vs. 'Take'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Some Data About 'Datum'

The Clinical History of 'Moron,' 'Idiot,' and 'Imbecile'
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All