adhere
Americanverb (used without object)
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to stay attached; stick fast; cleave; cling (usually followed byto ).
The mud adhered to his shoes.
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Physics, Chemistry. (of two or more dissimilar substances) to be united by a molecular force acting in the area of contact.
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to be devoted in support or allegiance; be attached as a follower or upholder (usually followed byto ).
to adhere to a party.
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to hold closely or firmly (usually followed byto ).
to adhere to a plan.
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Obsolete. to be consistent.
verb (used with object)
verb
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(usually foll by to) to stick or hold fast
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(foll by to) to be devoted (to a political party, cause, religion, etc); be a follower (of)
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(foll by to) to follow closely or exactly
adhere to the rules
Related Words
See stick 2.
Other Word Forms
- adherable adjective
- adherence noun
- adherer noun
- preadhere verb (used without object)
Etymology
Origin of adhere
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Medieval Latin adhērēre for Latin adhaerēre ( ad- ad- + haerēre “to stick, cling”), perhaps via Middle French adhérer
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Linear television refers to traditional broadcast TV channels that adhere to a schedule compared to streaming platforms like Netflix, where viewers watch content on demand.
From Barron's
"We expect that Western countries, which declare their commitment to freedom of navigation on the high seas, will begin adhering to this principle themselves."
From BBC
It added that it adheres to the norms of international humanitarian law and conducts strikes exclusively against military targets.
From BBC
But it did say it adheres to the norms of international humanitarian law and conducts strikes exclusively against military targets.
From BBC
"Ukraine's Defence Forces adhere to the norms of international humanitarian law and strike exclusively at enemy military targets," he said.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
