ordinance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ordinance" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a law or regulation enacted by a municipal authority. Example: "The city council passed an ordinance to regulate noise levels in residential areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On Monday, at an event titled "Reparations Not Black Sites" in downtown Chicago, demonstrators continued to push Emanuel and the city to take up an ordinance that would include further payments to victims under Burge as well as a formal apology from the city, community centers and a requirement for Chicago public schools to teach the history of police abuse in the city.

The Guardian

No bar or restaurant dared violate the ordinance.

The Guardian

"And a lot of the buildings that are going in are over 40ft (12m)." Since 1984, San Francisco has had a "sunlight ordinance" that requires the parks commission to review any proposed building taller than 40ft that might shadow public parks.

The Guardian

The lawsuit claims the protesters have a first amendment right to be at the park 24 hours a day, seven days a week, although Tucson city ordinance imposes park curfews.

The Guardian

Citing its work that dates back to a 2013 reparations ordinance linked to torture by the notorious police officer Jon Burge, the human rights group Amnesty International sent its own letter about Homan Square Wednesday to the justice department official behind the damning Ferguson inquiry.

The Guardian

The strip changed the law in Palm Beach, Florida, where domestic servants were required to register with the police, an ordinance which authorised police checks on every black and Hispanic in sight.

The Guardian

The ordinance will almost certainly be challenged in court.

The Guardian - Business

But suddenly, around the turn of the year, and as the economy has apparently slowed, Mr Modi's government became hyperactive.On December 29th it issued an "ordinance" (a temporary executive order) amending an imperfect land-acquisition act that the previous administration passed in 2013.

The Economist

The prostitutes have gone underground, thanks to a tough city ordinance passed shortly after Hugh Grant's escapade, and the graffiti have all but disappeared.

The Economist

It did not stop some opposition politicians from claiming it was a licence for a corporate land-grab at the expense of farmers.Mr Modi may be more prepared than previous prime ministers to govern by ordinance as a means of bypassing Parliament.

The Economist

Assuming the ordinance is passed, the first certificates could be issued in the summer.Tokyo's gay activists hope that this will eventually lead to the full national adoption of gay-marriage laws.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about local governance, use "ordinance" to specifically denote a law enacted by a city or municipal authority. This ensures precision in your language.

Common error

Avoid using "ordinance" interchangeably with "law". "Ordinance" typically refers to a local law, while "law" is a broader term that can apply to state or federal regulations.

Linguistic Context

Ordinance primarily functions as a noun, referring to a law or regulation enacted by a municipal authority. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Examples show it used in contexts concerning city regulations and legal mandates.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ordinance" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun that denotes a local law or regulation enacted by a municipal authority. According to Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for formal writing and commonly appears in news and media contexts. While alternative terms like "regulation" or "local law" can be used depending on the specific context, "ordinance" provides a precise and legally recognized term for municipal laws. When writing, remember to use "ordinance" specifically for local laws and not interchangeably with broader terms like "law" to maintain clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

local law

Refers specifically to laws enacted at the municipal or local level, narrowing the scope of "ordinance".

municipal regulation

Highlights the regulatory aspect and the governing body, clarifying the type of rule.

city code

Implies a codified collection of laws specific to a city.

statute

A formal written law enacted by a legislative body, typically at the state or federal level.

edict

A formal command or decree issued by an authority, often carrying a sense of urgency or imposition.

decree

An official order issued by a legal authority.

bylaw

A rule made by a company or society to control the actions of its members.

rule

A general term for a principle or instruction governing conduct or action.

regulation

A rule or directive made and maintained by an authority.

legal provision

Emphasizes the legal and enforceable aspect of the rule.

FAQs

How is "ordinance" typically used in a sentence?

The word "ordinance" is often used to describe a law or regulation enacted by a city or local government. For instance, "The city council passed an ordinance to regulate parking in residential areas."

What's the difference between an "ordinance" and a "statute"?

"Ordinance" refers to a law passed by a municipal government, whereas "statute" usually describes a law passed by a state or federal legislature.

Are there alternatives to using the word "ordinance"?

Depending on the context, you could use terms like "regulation", "bylaw", "local law", or "municipal code" as alternatives to "ordinance".

Is it appropriate to use "ordinance" in formal writing?

Yes, "ordinance" is perfectly appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing local government and legal matters. It is a precise term with a specific legal meaning.