ordinance
An ordinance is a formal law or regulation enacted by a local government, such as a city or town council. It typically governs matters within the local jurisdiction, like parking, noise, or building codes.
Examples
3 of 5The city council passed a new ordinance to reduce noise in residential areas after 10 PM.
The city council passed a new ordinance to reduce noise in residential areas after 10 PM.
Under the municipal ordinance, all business owners must keep the sidewalks in front of their shops clean.
Under the municipal ordinance, all business owners must keep the sidewalks in front of their shops clean.
I think there is some old ordinance that says you can't park your boat on the street here.
I think there is some old ordinance that says you can't park your boat on the street here.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of an Ordinance as a way to keep a city in 'Order'. Both words start with 'Ord'.
Quick Quiz
The local government passed a new _______ that prohibits smoking in public parks.
Correct!
The correct answer is: ordinance
Examples
The city council passed a new ordinance to reduce noise in residential areas after 10 PM.
everydayThe city council passed a new ordinance to reduce noise in residential areas after 10 PM.
Under the municipal ordinance, all business owners must keep the sidewalks in front of their shops clean.
formalUnder the municipal ordinance, all business owners must keep the sidewalks in front of their shops clean.
I think there is some old ordinance that says you can't park your boat on the street here.
informalI think there is some old ordinance that says you can't park your boat on the street here.
Academic research suggests that zoning ordinances can significantly impact the affordability of local housing.
academicAcademic research suggests that zoning ordinances can significantly impact the affordability of local housing.
The company had to review the local environmental ordinance before starting the construction project.
businessThe company had to review the local environmental ordinance before starting the construction project.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
in accordance with the ordinance
in accordance with the ordinance
local health ordinance
local health ordinance
subject to ordinance
subject to ordinance
Often Confused With
Ordnance (without the 'i') refers to military weapons and ammunition, while ordinance is a local law.
Usage Notes
Use 'ordinance' specifically when talking about laws made at the local level (city or county). For national or state levels, words like 'law' or 'statute' are more common.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget that an ordinance is local; they might use it to describe a national law where 'act' or 'legislation' would be better.
Memory Tip
Think of an Ordinance as a way to keep a city in 'Order'. Both words start with 'Ord'.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old French 'ordenance', which comes from the Latin 'ordinare', meaning to put in order or arrange.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In the United States, local ordinances are the primary tool used by towns to regulate everyday life, from trash collection to pet ownership.
Quick Quiz
The local government passed a new _______ that prohibits smoking in public parks.
Correct!
The correct answer is: ordinance
Related Vocabulary
Compliance is the act of following a rule, law, or specific...
jurisdictionJurisdiction is the official power or right to make legal de...
enforcementEnforcement is the act of making sure that people obey a par...
councilA council is a group of people who are chosen to make decisi...
legislationThe act or process of making or enacting laws, or the laws t...
More law words
prosecutor
A1A prosecutor is a lawyer who works for the government. Their job is to show a court that someone has committed a crime.
defendant
A1A defendant is a person or organization that is being accused of a crime or is being sued in a court of law. This person is required to answer the legal charges brought against them by another party.
plaintiff
A1A person or group who brings a legal case against another in a court of law. They are the ones starting the lawsuit because they believe they have been wronged.
jury
A1A group of ordinary people chosen to listen to the facts of a trial in a court of law. They listen to the evidence and decide if a person is guilty or not guilty.
lawsuit
A1A lawsuit is a legal case where one person or group brings a disagreement to a court of law for a judge to decide. It usually happens when someone wants money or a specific action from another person because of a problem or injury.
proof
A1Proof is a fact or a piece of information that shows something is true. In a legal context, it is what a person uses to convince a judge or jury that a crime happened.
misdemeanor
A1A misdemeanor is a minor crime that is less serious than a felony. It is usually punished by a fine or a short period of time in a local jail rather than a state prison.
sentence
A1A sentence is a punishment given by a judge to someone who has been found guilty of a crime. It explains how much time a person must spend in prison or how much money they must pay as a fine.
bail
A1Bail is a sum of money paid to a court so that a person who has been accused of a crime can stay out of jail until their trial starts. If the person shows up for their court date, the money is usually returned.
fraud
A1Fraud is the illegal act of tricking someone to get their money or property. It is a crime where a person lies or hides the truth to gain an unfair advantage.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free