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

His actions were in compliance with state law.

2

: a disposition to yield to others

3

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

Synonyms

• acquiescence
• biddability
• compliancy
• deference
• docility
• obedience
• submissiveness

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

There’s no shortage of companies grappling with the challenges of privacy regulation compliance. —Esat Dedezade, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024

To be effective, however, these partnerships must be better supported, funded, and prepared, including to ensure their compliance with international humanitarian law. —Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2024

For one thing, Meta makes significant efforts — successful or not — to ensure compliance with European law. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 30 Aug. 2024

Many experts in the field, including myself, agree that SB 1047 outlines a bare minimum for effective regulation of frontier AI models against foreseeable risks and that its compliance requirements are light and not prescriptive by intention. —Yoshua Bengio, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

comply + -ance

First Known Use

circa 1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing compliance

• in compliance with

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