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.

---

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

Sheng Lu, a fashion and apparel-studies professor at the University of Delaware, said that the costs of adhering to a more environmentally friendly approach to business can add up.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

“As you know we spent millions of dollars every year on body-worn cameras, but their effectiveness depends on” officers adhering to policies, commissioner Jeff Skobin said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

An initial deployment plan has been approved, adhering to the ceiling of 5,500 troops and police officers authorized by the Security Council, and "deployments will take place in phases over the coming months," he said.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

Their music suggests styles—free jazz, funk, Jamaican dub, rock, and more—while adhering to the conventions of none.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

One can speculate that grieving parents were unable to let go of their children’s bodies in a society that viewed the spirit as adhering to the flesh.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Related Words

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