restraining order

American

noun

Law.

a judicial order to forbid a particular act until a decision is reached on an application for an injunction.

restraining order British

noun

law an order issued by a civil court to a potential abuser to keep away from those named in the order

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of restraining order

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Additionally, Glover filed a request for a restraining order against Doe, though a judge dismissed the request because of a “lack of prosecution.”

From Los Angeles Times

Four members of the supporters' group Frente Atletico were sentenced to prison terms of between 14 and 22 months, which were later commuted to fines and restraining orders.

From BBC

Gunnery was given a two-year restraining order in relation to Kate.

From BBC

A day later, a judge had granted him a temporary restraining order that allowed him to play immediately.

From The Wall Street Journal

Duke is seeking a temporary restraining order that would prevent Mensah from entering the transfer portal, enrolling at another school, playing football there or licensing his rights elsewhere.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023