Legal Dictionary

ordinance

Legal Definition of ordinance

Noun

  1. An executive decision of a government which has not been subjected to a legislative assembly (contrary to a statute). It is often detailed and not, as would be a statute, of general wording or application. This term is in disuse in many jurisdictions and the words "regulations" or "bylaws" are preferred.

Related terms

Definition of ordinance

Etymology

    From Middle English (ca. 1300), from Old French ordenance (Modern French ordonnance) "decree, command", from Middle Latin ordinantia, from ordinans, the present participle of Latin ordinare "put in order" (whence ordain).

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA: /ˈ"ːd.nənts/
  • (US) IPA: /ˈ"ɹd.nəns/, /ˈ"ɹ.dɪ.nəns/
  • Audio (US) [?]

Noun

ordinance (plural ordinances)

  1. a local law or regulation.

Usage notes

  • This word is sometimes confused with ordnance, or military weaponry.

References:

  1. Wiktionary. Published under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.



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