obey

play

verb \ō-ˈbā, ə-\

Definition of obey

obeyed

;

obeying

transitive verb
1 : to follow the commands or guidance of He always obeys his parents.
2 : to conform to or comply with obey an order Falling objects obey the laws of physics.
intransitive verb
: to behave obediently The dog does not always obey.

obeyer

noun

See obey defined for English-language learners

See obey defined for kids

Examples of obey in a Sentence

His dog has learned to obey several commands.
He always obeys his parents.
The children must obey the rules.
The children must learn to obey.

Recent Examples of obey from the Web

Those who don’t obey can face execution by stoning.

— amanda sperber, Glamour, "Meet 18-year-old Nasra, Somalia’s First and Only Female Auto Mechanic," 17 July 2017
Latisha Kamica Wood, 36, of the 600 block of Raywell Avenue in Union Bridge, was charged Tuesday with disorderly conduct, failure to obey a lawful police order and trespassing.

— The Aegis, "Police blotter: From Aberdeen to Fallston to Street," 14 July 2017
This creature was created specifically to protect and obey the queen, and anyone who offends her even in the slightest will feel his wrath.

— josh wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Game of Thrones': The Forces of House Lannister, Ranked," 14 July 2017
In response to a story on the number of electric Tuk Tuk trams in downtown Naperville doubling from two to four in 10 months: Great, as long as the drivers obey the laws of the road and driving!

— Naperville Sun, "Readers Respond," 7 July 2017
He was charged in September 2014 with assault, failure to obey a lawful police order and obstructing and hindering police, according to online court records.

— erika butler, The Aegis, "Aberdeen man charged in last Friday's bank robbery," 29 June 2017
But more than just talking dirty, the hosts offer something that feels quietly radical, given conservative Christianity’s long, sexist history of teaching women to obey and serve their husbands: a kind of empowerment.

— danielle friedman, The Cut, "This Evangelical Sex Podcast Wants Christian Wives to Explore What Turns Them On," 28 June 2017
The head of the delegation told the waiting press that, of course, its members would obey the law of the land.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "Even if Trumpcare Fails, They'll Blame Democrats," 28 June 2017
In the end, Shipman was given a citation for failing to obey a walk signal, which comes with a $62.50 fine, and one for not having a license, which means a $136 fine, the Herald reports.

— breanna edwards, The Root, "#WalkingWhileBlack: Video Shows Fla. Cop Threatening to Jail Black Man for Crossing the Street, Not Having ID," 27 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'obey.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of obey

Middle English obeien, from Anglo-French obeir, from Latin oboedire, from ob- toward + -oedire (akin to audire to hear) — more at ob-, audible

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First Known Use: 14th century

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