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

Being a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader requires strict adherence to a series of rules. —Maddie Garfinkle, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026

While the president's executive order called for voluntary adherence, Friday's directive had a very different tone, said Daniel Remler, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. —Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 17 June 2026

But symptoms persisted in 41% of subjects despite adherence to the rule, requiring further treatment. —Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 15 June 2026

Religious adherence surged in the nineteenth century; by the twentieth, the majority of Americans belonged to a church. —Michael Luo, New Yorker, 14 June 2026

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