compliance
noun
com·pli·ance
kəm-ˈplī-ən(t)s 
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
Georgia A. Chrousos
b
: conformity in fulfilling official requirements
a certificate of compliance
But despite being in compliance, the stores will be unable to serve beer or wine for 30 days.—Kathy Stephenson
Kathy StephensonModifications were made in compliance with regulations.
2
: a disposition to yield to others
When we focus on behavioral compliance in the moment, we miss out on helping our kids develop their own emotional and cognitive autonomy …—Suzanne Allen and Annalise Caron
Suzanne Allen and Annalise Caron3
: the ability of an object to yield elastically when a force is applied : flexibility
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
In 2025, compliance checks dropped sharply to 369 after department leaders curtailed overtime spending amid a broader city budget crunch.
—Tony Plohetski, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026
Ian Gregor, spokesman for the FAA, could not immediately say Wednesday whether the agency was investigating the airport’s compliance with grant funding requirements.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2026
Often referred to as the state’s chief fiscal officer, the state comptroller pays the state’s bills, monitors fiscal compliance, records transactions and contracts and issues reports that guide the governor and legislature on budget decisions.
—Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
These ADUs, which range from stand-alone one-bedrooms to a studio dropped on top of a garage, have already been reviewed for code and zoning compliance.
—Clio Chang, Curbed, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compliance
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Tony Plohetski, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026
Ian Gregor, spokesman for the FAA, could not immediately say Wednesday whether the agency was investigating the airport’s compliance with grant funding requirements.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2026
Often referred to as the state’s chief fiscal officer, the state comptroller pays the state’s bills, monitors fiscal compliance, records transactions and contracts and issues reports that guide the governor and legislature on budget decisions.
—Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
These ADUs, which range from stand-alone one-bedrooms to a studio dropped on top of a garage, have already been reviewed for code and zoning compliance.
—Clio Chang, Curbed, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compliance
Cite this Entry
“Compliance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compliance. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
compliance
noun
com·pli·ance
kəm-ˈplī-ən(t)s
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
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
S. C. Truelove2
: 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
1
: an act or process of complying with a demand or recommendation
2
: observance of official requirements
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