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

• obedience
• compliancy
• acquiescence
• deference

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

During interviews with the KBI, the deputies involved were asked if they had been taught what to do when someone shows compliance, either verbally or physically, court documents said. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025

When payments depend on a handful of correspondent relationships, shocks in one jurisdiction can ripple worldwide—whether from sanctions, de-risking decisions, cybersecurity incidents, or compliance backlogs. —Chris Maurice, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025

Safety, environmental compliance, and ongoing regulatory milestones guarantee that ASKA’s offering will play a major role in the evolution of true flying cars. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025

If companies from industrialized democracies end up buying Chinese credits to meet their own compliance obligations, Beijing will not only dominate the hardware of the energy transition but also help govern its financial infrastructure. —Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 3 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

comply + -ance

First Known Use

circa 1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing compliance

• in compliance with

Rhymes for compliance

• appliance
• defiance
• reliance
• geoscience
• neuroscience
• noncompliance
• pseudoscience
• science

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