Meanings
plural observances · alternative observancy · alternative observaunce
- countableuncountableThe custom of celebrating a holiday or similar occasion.
- countableuncountableObservation or the act of watching.
- countableuncountableThat which is to be observed.
Synonyms & antonyms
nounthe act of observing; taking a patient look
nouna formal event performed on a special occasion
nounconformity with law or custom or practice etc.
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
- Latinobservantia
- Old Frenchobservance
- Englishobservance
From Old French observance, from Latin observantia. Equivalent of observe + -ance.
More words from Old French, Latin
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Bulgarian спазване, съблюдаване
- спазване (spazvane)practice of complying
- съблюдаване (săbljudavane)practice of complying
- тачене (tačene)the custom of celebrating a holiday
- обряд (obrjad)(religion) a rule governing a religious order, especially in the Roman Catholic church
Czech dodržování
- dodržovánípractice of complying
Dutch feestdag
- feestdagthe custom of celebrating a holiday
French observance, observance
- observancepractice of complying
- observancethe custom of celebrating a holiday
German Beachtung
- Beachtungpractice of complying
Irish coinneáil
- coinneáilpractice of complying
Italian giorno festivo
- giorno festivothe custom of celebrating a holiday
Cite this entry
observance. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/observance
“observance.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/observance. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “observance,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/observance.
Source: observance on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.