compliance

[kuh m-plahy-uh ns]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR compliance ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act of conforming, acquiescing, or yielding.

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

conformity; accordance: in compliance with orders.

cooperation or obedience: Compliance with the law is expected of all.

Physics.

the strain of an elastic body expressed as a function of the force producing the strain.
a coefficient expressing the responsiveness of a mechanical system to a periodic force.

Origin of compliance

First recorded in 1635–45; comply + -ance

Related formso·ver·com·pli·ance, nounpre·com·pli·ance, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for compliance

consent, conformity, observance, submission, concurrence, assent, complaisance, obedience, tractability, yielding, acquiescence, deference, amenability, concession, resignation, docility, passivity

Examples from the Web for compliance

Contemporary Examples of compliance

Wright approved one of the wells after the operator agreed to bring it into compliance, according to the letter.
Two Texas Regulators Tried to Enforce the Rules. They Were Fired.
David Hasemyer, InsideClimate News
December 9, 2014
In compliance with the flight plan, the 777 was at 33,000 feet.
MH17 Switched Places With Another Jet
Clive Irving
September 9, 2014
To say that a consignment is “in compliance” with packing regulations is a mere fig leaf.
Passenger Flights Must Stop Carrying Lithium-Ion Batteries as Cargo
Clive Irving
May 5, 2014
However, compliance officials from the Department of Labor failed to appear.
Conservative Activist James O’Keefe Claims Cuomo Is Trying to Run Him Out of NY
David Freedlander
January 23, 2014
In 2006, a compliance officer at Mizuho Bank was arrested for selling the data of 1200 bank customers to a yakuza front company.
Japan’s Mega Banks Have Mega Yakuza Trouble
Jake Adelstein, Nathalie-Kyoko Stucky
November 27, 2013

Historical Examples of compliance

She looked with concern and anger upon me—No compliance, I find!
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
Her father had concluded every thing with Mr. Solmes, not doubting her compliance.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
But be sure don't let him see any thing uncheerful in your compliance.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
Signify to us, now, therefore, your compliance with our wishes.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
Consider that my happiness, your own, and my son's, depend upon your compliance.
Tales And Novels, Volume 5 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth

British Dictionary definitions for compliance

compliance

compliancy

noun

the act of complying; acquiescence

a disposition to yield to or comply with others

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for compliance

1640s, from comply + -ance. Related: Compliancy.

compliance in Medicine

compliance

[kəm-plī′əns]

n.

A measure of the ease with which a structure or substance may be deformed, especially a measure of the ease with which a hollow organ may be distended.

The degree of constancy and accuracy with which a patient follows a prescribed regimen, as distinguished from adherence or maintenance.