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

Even if your furry friend has already mastered the obedience basics, try adding some new party tricks to their command repertoire. —Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025

Malik wants protection – Massoud wants obedience. —Marta Balaga, Variety, 29 Aug. 2025

But the film shows her before that time and also highlights her strict side, not only requiring vows of chastity and poverty, but also obedience. —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2025

Bondi’s obedience to the President includes matters as insignificant as ending the department’s purchase of paper straws. —Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 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