adherence

noun

ad·​her·​ence ad-ˈhir-ən(t)s 

əd-

1

: the act, action, or quality of adhering

adherence of paint to wood

2

: steady or faithful attachment : fidelity

adherence to a political party

Synonyms

• adhesion
• bonding
• cling

Examples of adherence in a Sentence

you'd think these refrigerator magnets would have better adherence—they fall off every time I open the door

adherence to convention requires that the couple send out formal wedding invitations

Recent Examples on the Web

Elizabeth had maintained a decade of careful adherence to her HIV treatment, but the couple still struggled with consistent condom use. —Kathryn Rhine, The Conversation, 19 May 2025

Resistance training adherence has always been reliant on access to the right equipment. —Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 18 May 2025

The Real Cost Of Rigid Policies Organizations often fail to calculate the true cost of strict policy adherence. —Ryan Minton, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

Poor control might be the result of poor treatment adherence or, in the case of inhalers, improper technique. —Paul McClure 14, New Atlas, 14 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French adherance, aerdaunce, aherdance "act of adhering, faction, supporters," borrowed from Medieval Latin adhaerentia, going back to Late Latin, "act of adhering," derivative of Latin adhaerent-, adhaerens, present participle of adhaerēre "to adhere"

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for adherence

• appearance
• coherence
• preclearance
• clearance
• disappearance
• incoherence
• interference
• perseverance
• reappearance
• noninterference

Kids Definition

adherence

noun

ad·​her·​ence ad-ˈhir-ən(t)s 

əd-

1

: the action or quality of adhering

2

: steady or faithful attachment

adherence to the truth