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
Synonyms
- abidance
- adherence
- compliance
- conformance
- conformity
- keeping
- obedience
- observation
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Juneteenth is the observance of the first anniversary of the date on which the last of the enslaved peoples of African descent were emancipated, more than two full years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. 
Aronte Bennett, Forbes, 3 June 2022 The event replaces the National Night Out observance the Police Department held in past years. John Laidler, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Aug. 2022 But those who let their whiskers grow while WFH, as a matter of idleness rather than observance, may be facing a conundrum, said Cassandra Sethi, a Los Angeles personal stylist. Max Berlinger, WSJ, 12 Aug. 2022 All 50 states and Washington, D.C. have passed legislation recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday or observance. Keely Brown, The Enquirer, 6 June 2022 What began as a religious observance before the 40 days of Lent has grown to an all-out series of parties. Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 31 July 2022 The Miami Beach Holocaust Memorial, a Committee of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, hosts a community observance of Yom HaShoah at 6 p.m. on May 1. Sergio Carmona, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2022 While many Advent and Christmas traditions go back centuries in the United Kingdom, Christingles is a relatively new observance here. Forrest Brown, CNN, 27 Nov. 2021 But a concerted campaign to explain and support the need for and benefits of a robust and forward-deployed strategy to counter Islamic terrorism for the foreseeable future would be a very fitting observance of the 20th anniversary of 9/11. John Hillen, National Review, 10 Sep. 2021 See More
Aronte Bennett, Forbes, 3 June 2022 The event replaces the National Night Out observance the Police Department held in past years. John Laidler, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Aug. 2022 But those who let their whiskers grow while WFH, as a matter of idleness rather than observance, may be facing a conundrum, said Cassandra Sethi, a Los Angeles personal stylist. Max Berlinger, WSJ, 12 Aug. 2022 All 50 states and Washington, D.C. have passed legislation recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday or observance. Keely Brown, The Enquirer, 6 June 2022 What began as a religious observance before the 40 days of Lent has grown to an all-out series of parties. Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 31 July 2022 The Miami Beach Holocaust Memorial, a Committee of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, hosts a community observance of Yom HaShoah at 6 p.m. on May 1. Sergio Carmona, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2022 While many Advent and Christmas traditions go back centuries in the United Kingdom, Christingles is a relatively new observance here. Forrest Brown, CNN, 27 Nov. 2021 But a concerted campaign to explain and support the need for and benefits of a robust and forward-deployed strategy to counter Islamic terrorism for the foreseeable future would be a very fitting observance of the 20th anniversary of 9/11. John Hillen, National Review, 10 Sep. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
observance
noun
ob·ser·vance əb-ˈzər-vəns
1
: an established practice or ceremony
religious observances
2
: an act of following a custom, rule, or law
Careful observance of the speed limit is a wise idea.
observance
noun
1
as in adherence
the following of a custom, rule, or law the observance of this family tradition would make your grandmother very happy observance of the smoking ban in public buildings Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- adherence
- compliance
- observation
- conformity
- obedience
- conformance
- abidance
- upholding
- deference
- respect
- keeping
- honor
- regard
- acquiescence
- attendance
- submission
- accession
- surrender
- attention
- heed
- notice
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- violation
- breach
- infringement
- contravention
- transgression
- disregard
- infraction
- trespass
- nonobservance
- ignoring
- neglect
- forgetting
- delinquency
- offense
- offence
- sin
- challenge
- defiance
- dereliction
- rebellion
- wrong
- overlooking
- brush-off
- flouting
2
as in ritual
an oft-repeated action or series of actions performed in accordance with tradition or a set of rules some religions require very specific observances on holy days Synonyms & Similar Words
- ritual
- ceremony
- ceremonial
- celebration
- rite
- tradition
- solemnity
- formality
- practice
- decorum
- civility
- etiquette
- proprieties
- form
- standard
- protocol
- manners
- habit
- convention
- service
- custom
- graces
- amenities
- mores
- practise
- way
3
as in awareness
a state of being aware if you've been doing any significant housecleaning, it has escaped my observance Synonyms & Similar Words
- awareness
- mindfulness
- attention
- observation
- consciousness
- knowledge
- note
- notice
- cognizance
- ear
- eye
- regard
- advertence
- mind
- heed
- advertency
- consideration
- understanding
- care
- recognition
- perception
- concern
- hyperawareness
- thought
- apprehension
- hyperconsciousness
- discernment
- advisement
- watch
- grasp
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disregard
- neglect
- unawareness
- obliviousness