compliance

noun

com·​pli·​ance kəm-ˈplī-ən(t)s How to pronounce compliance (audio)
Synonyms of compliancenext
1
a
: the act or process of complying to a desire, demand, proposal, or regimen or to coercion
Patient compliance in completing the treatment regimens was excellent.— Georgia A. Chrousos
b
: conformity in fulfilling official requirements
His actions were in compliance with state law.
2
: a disposition to yield to others
3
: the ability of an object to yield elastically when a force is applied : flexibility

Synonyms

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Examples of compliance in a Sentence

She was rewarded for her compliance. There has been a low rate of compliance with the new law.
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.
In April 2024, authorities started using aerial drone surveillance to monitor hijab compliance in public spaces. — Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025 The Bee and Stanton were honored by SPJ NorCal in 2020, recognizing work by Stanton and his colleagues in seeking compliance with Senate Bill 1421, a police transparency law, among other investigative work. — Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 16 Mar. 2025 The agency's taxpayer services and compliance departments are expected to lose thousands of workers in what could be the first of several waves of firings, one of the sources said. — Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2025 Internet Works is also calling for clear compliance obligations to ensure these are proportionate to a company’s influence and role in AI development. — Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for compliance

Word History

Etymology

comply + -ance

First Known Use

circa 1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of compliance was circa 1630

Phrases Containing compliance

Rhymes for compliance

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Browse Nearby Words

compliance
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Cite this Entry

“Compliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compliance. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

compliance

noun
com·​pli·​ance kəm-ˈplī-ən(t)s How to pronounce compliance (audio)
1
: the act or process of complying
2
: a readiness or willingness to yield to others

Medical Definition

compliance

noun
com·​pli·​ance kəm-ˈplī-ən(t)s How to pronounce compliance (audio)
1
: the ability or process of yielding to changes in pressure without disruption of structure or function
a study of pulmonary compliance
the tone of colonic muscle as judged by compliance of the gut wall— S. C. Truelove
2
: the process of complying with a regimen of treatment
simplified drug regimens may encourage better compliance

Legal Definition

compliance

noun
com·​pli·​ance kəm-ˈplī-əns How to pronounce compliance (audio)
1
: an act or process of complying with a demand or recommendation
2
: observance of official requirements

More from Merriam-Webster on compliance

Nglish: Translation of compliance for Spanish Speakers

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