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

a certificate of compliance

But despite being in compliance, the stores will be unable to serve beer or wine for 30 days.

—Kathy Stephenson

Modifications 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

3

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

Synonyms of compliance

• 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

Such an action, therefore, would not guarantee compliance from civilians and would likely lead to long-term guerrilla actions. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026

Epstein fallout continues Frustrations aren't showing signs of subsiding anytime soon over the Justice Department's compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. —Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026

Gabe Feldman, another Altius consultant, is a law professor at Tulane and the school’s associate provost for NCAA compliance. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 9 Jan. 2026

The office has the power to recommend the Legislature withhold funding from the institution if it is found to be in violation of state law — until compliance is certified. —Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

comply + -ance

First Known Use

circa 1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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