adhering

American  

[ad-heer-ing] / ædˈhɪər ɪŋ /

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.

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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

Etymology

Origin of adhering

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

"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

By adding in new characters while adhering to the original story, the author creates something new, strange and thrilling.

From Los Angeles Times

It requires setting up a plan document, just the way a company does, and adhering to the rules of that plan.

From MarketWatch

"Being French is adhering to some values and lifestyles, believing in equality between men and women," he argued.

From BBC

Once a team has been drawn they will go into the first available group, adhering to the draw constraints, in alphabetical order.

From BBC

Related Words

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