adherence

[ad-heer-uhns, -her-]

noun

1. the quality of adhering; steady devotion, support, allegiance, or attachment.

   adherence to a party; rigid adherence to rules.

2. the act or state of adhering; adhesion.

Other Word Forms

• nonadherence noun
• preadherence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of adherence¹

< Medieval Latin adhērentia. See adhere, -ence

Example Sentences

Part of the problem was the market’s strict adherence to ancient traditions.

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Policymakers argue that key inputs to such rules are highly uncertain and constantly changing, making mechanical adherence risky.

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The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority then opened an investigation into Ticketmaster’s adherence to consumer protection laws.

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The Yautja are a ruthless culture whose warriors take pride in hunting alone, and Dek’s stubborn adherence to those rules, even as an outcast, is nearly his undoing.

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The group also affirmed its adherence to "the law, rules of conduct and military discipline during wartime".

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Related Words

• attachment 
• faithfulness 
• loyalty 
• obedience