obedience

noun

obe·​di·​ence ō-ˈbē-dē-ən(t)s 

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

Synonyms

• submission
• compliance
• conformity
• submissiveness
• surrender
• subordination

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

In many workplaces, absolute obedience is mistaken for professionalism. —Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025

Doberman pinschers are loyal, athletic, and protective but need daily exercise and early obedience training. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025

Claudia Aragon was headed home after dropping her puppy off at obedience school when the first text came in early on Friday, June 6. —Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2025

Isolated from the outside world, the commune treats addiction through labor, discipline, obedience and faith. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 23 July 2025

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

Phrases Containing obedience

• in obedience

Rhymes for obedience

• expedience
• disobedience

Kids Definition

obedience

noun

obe·​di·​ence ō-ˈbēd-ē-ən(t)s 

ə-

1

: an act or instance of obeying

2

: the quality or state of being obedient