adherence

noun

ad·​her·​ence ad-ˈhir-ən(t)s How to pronounce adherence (audio)
əd-
1
: the act, action, or quality of adhering
adherence of paint to wood
2
: steady or faithful attachment : fidelity
adherence to a political party

Examples of adherence in a Sentence

you'd think these refrigerator magnets would have better adherence—they fall off every time I open the door adherence to convention requires that the couple send out formal wedding invitations
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.
Whatever the circumstances that led to the episode’s delay, the final product is quite the adherence to form. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025 MasterCraft adds up to a five-degree taper to the parts to lessen friction and adherence. Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2025 Conversely, the categorization system behind the Cato Institute’s study disregards the complexities of some cases that have multiple motivations to consider, including an adherence to incel ideology. Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 22 Sep. 2025 The way Zohran Mamdani—the son of an Indian-Ugandan Muslim scholar of Africa—has repudiated these values, along with his adherence to a cosmopolitan vision of peace and justice, guarantees extreme hostility to him among the Establishment. Pankaj Mishra, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for adherence

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French adherance, aerdaunce, aherdance "act of adhering, faction, supporters," borrowed from Medieval Latin adhaerentia, going back to Late Latin, "act of adhering," derivative of Latin adhaerent-, adhaerens, present participle of adhaerēre "to adhere"

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of adherence was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Adherence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adherence. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

adherence

noun
ad·​her·​ence ad-ˈhir-ən(t)s How to pronounce adherence (audio)
əd-
1
: the action or quality of adhering
2
: steady or faithful attachment
adherence to the truth

More from Merriam-Webster on adherence

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