restraining order

noun

1
: a preliminary legal order sometimes issued to keep a situation unchanged pending decision upon an application for an injunction
2
: a legal order issued against an individual to restrict or prohibit access or proximity to another specified individual

Examples of restraining order in a Sentence

The judge issued a restraining order.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His own staff has told him that victims are afraid to testify or file restraining orders. — Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica, 14 Oct. 2026 The district attorney told the judge two former girlfriends obtained restraining orders against Brown earlier this year. — Cheryl Fiandaca, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 In July 2024, the county Department of Public Health’s Office of Violence Prevention issued a report with more than a dozen recommendations for reducing domestic violence homicides by improving access to restraining orders. — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 In petitions for restraining orders filed last year, the couple accused each other of physical, emotional and psychological abuse going back more than a decade. — ABC News, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for restraining order

Word History

First Known Use

1780, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of restraining order was in 1780

Rhymes for restraining order

See All Rhymes for restraining order

Browse Nearby Words

restrainer
restraining order
restraint
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Cite this Entry

“Restraining order.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restraining%20order. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Legal Definition

restraining order

see also:
order sense 3b

More from Merriam-Webster on restraining order

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about restraining order

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