observance

/əbˈzɜːvəns/ (bre, ipa) · /əbˈzɜːrvəns/ (ame, ipa) · /əb-ˈzər-vən(t)s/ (ame, mw)

observance — noun

1. the action of acting in line with a law, rule, or long-standing custom — for exa

1.名詞C1
釋義

the action of acting in line with a law, rule, or long-standing custom — for example, paying every tax on time, or fasting on a holy day because tradition demands it.

例句

Strict observance of the speed limit kept Mr. Aoki's driving record clean for thirty years.

observance of + noun (rule)

The factory's observance of safety rules dropped sharply after the new manager arrived.

observance of + noun (rules)

同義詞
  • compliance

    more common in legal and business writing; focuses on meeting required standards

  • adherence

    stresses sticking to a set of beliefs, principles, or rules

  • obedience

    implies a higher authority being obeyed; more personal than 'observance'

反義詞
  • violation

    active breaking of a rule or law

  • neglect

    failure to do what a rule or duty asks

文法句型

observance of + noun

用法筆記

Almost always uncountable in this sense and almost always followed by 'of' plus a rule, law, or custom. Distinguish from sense 2 (a single ceremonial act): if you can replace the word with 'rite' or 'ceremony', use sense 2; if you can replace it with 'compliance', use sense 1.

常見錯誤

❌She received an observance from the police.
✅She received a warning from the police.
💡'observance' is not a notice or remark; for a comment about something noticed, use 'observation'.
❌The company's observance with the new law was praised.
✅The company's observance of the new law was praised.
💡the standard preposition is 'of', not 'with'.

2. a single ceremony, ritual, or special activity that people carry out to mark a r

2.名詞C1
釋義

a single ceremony, ritual, or special activity that people carry out to mark a religious holiday, national event, or shared tradition — such as lighting candles on a memorial day or singing hymns on Easter morning.

例句

Easter observances at the village church begin at dawn with a candlelit procession.

religious + observance (countable)

The mayor invited every family to attend the town's annual Memorial Day observances.

annual + observance (national event)

同義詞
  • ceremony

    more general; covers any formal event, religious or not

  • ritual

    highlights repeated, symbolic actions; often religious or spiritual

  • rite

    formal and traditional; often a single religious act with set steps

文法句型

religious/traditional + observance

用法筆記

Usually countable and often plural ('observances') because an event may include several rituals. Frequently paired with the name of a holiday or tradition (Easter / Diwali / Memorial Day). If the focus is on obeying a rule rather than performing a ritual, use sense 1.

常見錯誤

❌They held an observance to remember the war heroes, but it was very quiet observance.
✅They held an observance to remember the war heroes, but it was a very quiet one.
💡avoid repeating the noun; use 'one' or restructure.
❌My family does Christmas observance every year.
✅My family follows Christmas observances every year.
💡pair with verbs like 'follow', 'hold', or 'attend', not 'do'.