compliance

American  

[kuhm-plahy-uhns] / kəmˈplaɪ əns /

noun

1. the act of conforming, acquiescing, or yielding.

2. a tendency to yield readily to others, especially in a weak and subservient way.

3. conformity; accordance.

   in compliance with orders.

4. cooperation or obedience.

   Compliance with the law is expected of all.

5. Physics.

   1. the strain of an elastic body expressed as a function of the force producing the strain.

   2. a coefficient expressing the responsiveness of a mechanical system to a periodic force.

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compliance British  

/ kəmˈplaɪəns /

noun

1. the act of complying; acquiescence

2. a disposition to yield to or comply with others

3.  C.  a measure of the ability of a mechanical system to respond to an applied vibrating force, expressed as the reciprocal of the system's stiffness

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Usage

What is compliance? Compliance is the act of conforming and yielding, as with orders or laws. It is usually used in reference to written rules and regulations or spoken commands, as from police officers or a superior.Compliance can also refer to someone’s tendency to agree, especially in a submissive way.In physics, compliance refers to a coefficient expressing something’s responsiveness or counterforce when force is applied to it.Related to that, compliance is also the strain of an elastic body expressed as a function of the force producing the strain. In other words, compliance describes how easy it is for something to pool or flow within parts of the body or flexible vessels.Example: To be in full compliance with his school’s uniform policy, Tom had to get his hair cut.

Other Word Forms

• overcompliance noun
• precompliance noun

Etymology

Origin of compliance

First recorded in 1635–45; comply + -ance

Example Sentences

“We’re in compliance with the law in California but are we really helping the children?”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

All 50 states are, in fact, currently in compliance with the act’s mandate.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

The spike began Tuesday, a day before the White House and FDA began a series of four meetings External link with industry stakeholders to discuss CBD compliance and enforcement policy.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

WASHINGTON—The Trump administration is preparing to reshape its steel and aluminum tariff regime, altering duties on finished products to help simplify compliance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The older girl entered so fully into the spirit of her own aloof compliance that she felt beyond reproach.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Related Words

• conformity
• consent