adherence

noun

ad·​her·​ence ad-ˈhir-ən(t)s 

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

Synonyms of adherence

• adhesion
• cling

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

Insurers’ adherence to the commitments will be posted on a dashboard that will allow the agency, patients, providers and others to assess the industry’s progress, Oz said in June. —Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 4 Dec. 2025

The city council will also be asking the PCIARC to examine the police department’s adherence to the city’s separation ordinance and seeking an audit of the public cost incurred. —Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 27 Nov. 2025

President James Madison did not feel such reservations or adherence to autumnal festivities, however. —Angele Latham, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Nov. 2025

The United States would do well to reconsider its strict adherence to nonproliferation and encourage a small set of allies—namely Canada, Germany, and Japan—to go nuclear. —Moritz S. Graefrath, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2025

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

Rhymes for adherence

• appearance
• coherence
• preclearance
• clearance
• disappearance
• incoherence
• interference
• perseverance
• reappearance
• noninterference

Kids Definition

adherence

noun

ad·​her·​ence ad-ˈhir-ən(t)s 

əd-

1

: the action or quality of adhering

2

: steady or faithful attachment

adherence to the truth