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

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

Modifications 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

3

: the ability of an object to yield elastically when a force is applied : flexibility

Synonyms of compliance

• obedience
• compliancy
• acquiescence
• deference

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 this way, AI security itself is quickly emerging as its own sector, alongside compliance and IT industries, to help prevent data breaches and system misuse. —Connie Etemadi, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026

Yet the primary data required for compliance—fiber origin, material composition, chemical inputs—are generated and held upstream by suppliers and processors. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 28 Jan. 2026

No one had asked compliance before announcing innovation as the new priority. —Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026

Proximity to the president is seen by some advisors as the surest inoculation — preemptive compliance (see Apple or Chevron) can forestall an abrupt reaction from the administration. —Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

comply + -ance

First Known Use

circa 1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for compliance

• appliance
• defiance
• reliance
• geoscience
• neuroscience
• noncompliance
• pseudoscience
• science

Kids 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

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 

1

: an act or process of complying with a demand or recommendation

2

: observance of official requirements