Definition of "observance" []

• The act or practice of observing or complying with a law, custom, command, or rule. (noun)
• The act or custom of keeping or celebrating a holiday or other ritual occasion. (noun)
• A customary rite or ceremony. (noun)
• The act of watching; observation: "Consider how much intellect was needed in the architect, and how much observance of nature” ( John Ruskin). (noun)
• Roman Catholic Church The rule governing a religious order. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Targeting civilians IS a war crime – if you want to try them – military commissions with rules set by Congress, not the Supremes or in observance of the Constitution."
• "According to the article, Rowling declined due to scheduling conflicts and Meyer does not work on Sundays, in observance of the Sabbath."
• "We have an opportunity to reveal to Bill Maher that one's religious observance is not a hindrance to patriotism."