Ordinance Definition: An executive decision of a government which has not been subjected to a legislative assembly (contrary to a statute). Related Terms: Regulation, By-Law, Statutes, Police Power It is often detailed and not, as would be a statute, of general wording or application. This term is in disuse in many jurisdictions and the words "regulations" or bylaws are preferred. Find you are constantly looking up definitions? Try our search provider (works in most modern browsers) If you find an error or omission in Duhaime's Legal Dictionary, or if you have legal term suggestion, we'd love to hear from you!