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
The client maintained compliance, escaped the software trap, and freed up resources for genuine innovation.
—CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
There's no evidence of non-compliance with prior court orders.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
The move also will allow the nonprofit to more easily group together its departments, including finance, programs, compliance and monitoring, Staley said.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 21 Jan. 2026
The judge, who inherited Maxwell’s case after the trial judge was appointed to an appeals court, ruled that has no authority to supervise the department’s compliance with the new law, and that Massie and Khanna have no standing, or legal right, to insinuate themselves into Maxwell’s case.
—Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compliance
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CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
There's no evidence of non-compliance with prior court orders.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
The move also will allow the nonprofit to more easily group together its departments, including finance, programs, compliance and monitoring, Staley said.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 21 Jan. 2026
The judge, who inherited Maxwell’s case after the trial judge was appointed to an appeals court, ruled that has no authority to supervise the department’s compliance with the new law, and that Massie and Khanna have no standing, or legal right, to insinuate themselves into Maxwell’s case.
—Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 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 27 Jan. 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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