ordinance
Meaning: An authoritative decree or law, especially one enacted by a local authority or municipal government; a regulation or rule.
Ordinance refers to a law or regulation, particularly one issued by a local government or administrative body. It is more commonly used in American English for local laws (city ordinances), but appears in British English in historical and legal contexts. It should not be confused with ordnance (military weapons and ammunition). In British history, ordinances were decrees issued by parliament without royal assent. Common collocations include 'local ordinance,' 'city ordinance,' 'pass an ordinance,' and 'in violation of the ordinance.'
Examples
- The city council passed an ordinance restricting the use of single-use plastics in all municipal buildings. 市议会通过了一项法规,限制在所有市政建筑中使用一次性塑料制品。El ayuntamiento aprobó una ordenanza que restringía el uso de plásticos de un solo uso en todos los edificios municipales.市議会は全公共施設での使い捨てプラスチック使用を制限する条例を可決した。시의회는 모든 공공 건물에서 일회용 플라스틱 사용을 제한하는 조례를 통과시켰다.
- The Self-Denying Ordinance of 1645 required members of parliament to resign their military commands during the Civil War. 1645年的《自我否定法令》要求议会成员在内战期间辞去军事指挥权。La Self-Denying Ordinance de 1645 obligaba a los miembros del parlamento a renunciar a sus mandos militares durante la Guerra Civil.1645年の自己否定条例は、内戦中に議会議員が軍の指揮権を辞任することを義務づけた。1645년의 자기부인 조례는 내전 기간 중 의회 의원들이 군 지휘권을 사임할 것을 의무화했다.
- Residents complained that the new parking ordinance was poorly drafted and almost impossible to enforce. 居民抱怨新的停车法规起草粗糙,几乎无法执行。Los vecinos se quejaron de que la nueva ordenanza de aparcamiento estaba mal redactada y era casi imposible de aplicar.住民たちは新しい駐車条例が杜撰な起草で、執行がほぼ不可能だと不満を訴えた。주민들은 새로운 주차 조례가 졸속으로 작성되어 집행이 거의 불가능하다고 불만을 토로했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: legal, academic, media
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Old French ordenance (arrangement, order, decree), from Latin ordinare (to put in order, arrange), from ordo (order, row, series). The word has been in English since the fourteenth century with its core sense of an authoritative decree.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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