- present participle of adhere.
adhering
Americanadjective
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In not adhering to the expected rules of conflict-based drama, “Dreams in Nightmares” can confound.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026
“Just breaking out and being who you are and not adhering to these labels and not being put in this box — that mentality is in all of Gregg’s movies.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
Retaining that approachable, homespun persona while adhering to the sartorial conventions and expectations of Westminster will be a challenge for Burnham.
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026
That’s why farms emphasize safety rules for workers like wearing shoe covers and adhering to strict handwashing requirements.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026
“Would Mr. Darcy then consider the rashness of your original intention as atoned for by your obstinacy in adhering to it?”
From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
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.
