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
An additional 97 schools are currently under investigation for compliance issues.
—Josh Funk, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Environmental compliance is also a focus area, particularly as Pakistan’s major experts go into the European market, according to Sohail Ali Naqvi, director of WWF-Pakistan.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 18 Feb. 2026
The deadline is a critical compliance date for political committees, including House and Senate candidate committees, PACs, and party committees.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 18 Feb. 2026
In recent months, ForwardEdge requested an extension of its compliance date from March 2026 to March 2027 to give them more time to meet their job creation requirement.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compliance
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Josh Funk, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Environmental compliance is also a focus area, particularly as Pakistan’s major experts go into the European market, according to Sohail Ali Naqvi, director of WWF-Pakistan.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 18 Feb. 2026
The deadline is a critical compliance date for political committees, including House and Senate candidate committees, PACs, and party committees.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 18 Feb. 2026
In recent months, ForwardEdge requested an extension of its compliance date from March 2026 to March 2027 to give them more time to meet their job creation requirement.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 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 19 Feb. 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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