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

Comments are moderated for adherence to our Community Guidelines. —Jeanne Phillips, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026

But immigration lawyers say the Department of Homeland Security’s adherence to that limit has been wildly inconsistent over the past year. —Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026

The family’s swift removal and return raises questions about ICE’s actions and its agents adherence to policies, the family’s attorneys said in court filings. —Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026

The new research comes with several important caveats: researchers couldn’t track dosage, medication adherence, use of supplements, and lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, and alcohol intake. —Sarah Garone, Health, 6 Mar. 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