observance

 
Pronunciation: /əbˈzəːv(ə)ns/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1the practice of observing the requirements of law, morality, or ritual: strict observance of the rules the decline in religious observance
  • [count noun] (usually observances) an act performed for religious or ceremonial reasons: official anniversary observances
  • [count noun] a rule to be followed by a religious order: he drew up a body of monastic observances
  • 2the action of watching or noticing something: the baby’s motionless observance of me
  • 3 archaic respect; deference: the tramp gave them no observance

Origin:

Middle English: via Old French from Latin observantia, from observant- 'watching, paying attention to', from the verb observare (see observe)