ordinance

UK/'ɒ:dinәns/US

TOEFLGREB1

Definitions

A law or rule made by a local government or authority

（地方政府的）法令，条例

Root Breakdown

Root-derived

ordinorder, rank, arrangement; to arrange or command

-ancestate, quality

=ordinance

ordin- (arrange, decree) + -ance (noun) = 'something ordained,' i.e. a rule laid down by authority. An ordinance is order written into law — typically at the local or municipal level.

Root order still carries 34 more words

Common Collocations

1.city ordinance城市法令
2.local ordinance地方法令
3.municipal ordinance市政条例
4.pass an ordinance通过法令

Example Sentences

1.
A new city ordinance bans smoking in all public parks.
2.
The council passed an ordinance limiting building heights downtown.

Easily Confused

ordinance vs ordnance — pronounced almost the same but unrelated: ordinance = a local law; ordnance = military weapons and ammunition (an unexploded ordnance). Don't write 'unexploded ordinance.'

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