adhering

[ad-heer-ing]

adjective

1. attaching or staying attached; sticking, or causing something to stick, to something else.

   She worked away with a steel scraper to loosen the adhering carpet where it had been glued to the floor.

2. devoted in allegiance; attached as a follower, supporter, or member.

   Under the OECD Council decision on multinational enterprises, each adhering country must set up a National Contact Point for dispute resolution.

3. holding firmly or closely to something (often used in combination).

   Respond to all employee complaints promptly and in a professional, confidential, policy-adhering manner.

noun

1. the act or fact of sticking, clinging, or holding closely or firmly to something.

   We can't just call for an adhering to due process—we need to actually ensure that due process happens.

2. Chemistry, Physics.,  (of two or more dissimilar substances) the fact of being united by a molecular force acting in the area of contact.

   The adhering of the molecules of a gas on the surface of a solid is called adsorption.

3. the fact of being devoted or attached to a person or thing as a follower, member, or supporter.

   Under the law, cruising in an enemy ship intending to capture or destroy American ships is an adhering to the enemies of the United States.

Other Word Forms

• nonadhering adjective
• unadhering adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of adhering¹

First recorded in 1545–55; adher(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; adher(e) ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun senses

Example Sentences

The company will also have to regularly report to the CMA over the next two years to ensure it is adhering to the new compliance.

From BBC

Pharmacists are also adhering to strike action in droves, with 98% of pharmacies expected to stay closed.

From BBC

He spent the summer in Croatia working out twice a day and adhering to a gluten-free, low-sugar, high-protein diet.

From Los Angeles Times

These include active community involvement in the property and the new owner adhering to land access rights.

From BBC

Anyone not adhering to the Boss’s “Please, Please Me” mentality — what a horrible interpretation of the first Beatles’ hit — gets the “off with their head” routine.

From Salon

Related Words

• biased 
• one-sided 
• sectarian 
• sympathetic 
• unjust