obedience

noun

obe·​di·​ence ō-ˈbē-dē-ən(t)s How to pronounce obedience (audio)
ə-
1
a
: an act or instance of obeying
b
: the quality or state of being obedient
Children should learn obedience and respect for authority.
2
: a sphere of jurisdiction
landowners within the king's obedience
especially : an ecclesiastical or sometimes secular dominion
under the obedience of the Bishop of Rome

Examples of obedience in a Sentence

the drill sergeant demanded complete and unquestioning obedience from the recruits the cowardly obedience with which the dictator's henchmen followed his every command
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Routine also supports easier training, as incorporating obedience lessons into daily schedules reinforces learning through consistency. Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025 The plan does not cover pre-existing conditions, training or obedience classes and more. Ryley Amond, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2025 The dogs' puppy raisers are volunteers who will spend the next 16 or so months socializing the puppies, teaching the dogs basic obedience, and providing them with a healthy diet, so the canines are prepared for more specialized service dog training in the future. Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 3 Oct. 2025 The Dark Hearts biker gang being targeted by Robbie has its own internal code, rigorously enforcing obedience but also offering members kinship, even a warped kind of mentorship. Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for obedience

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin oboedientia "act of obeying" (Medieval Latin also, "sphere of jurisdiction"), noun derivative of oboedient-, oboedient obedient

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of obedience was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Obedience.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obedience. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

obedience

noun
obe·​di·​ence ō-ˈbēd-ē-ən(t)s How to pronounce obedience (audio)
ə-
1
: an act or instance of obeying
2
: the quality or state of being obedient

More from Merriam-Webster on obedience

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