obedience

noun

obe·​di·​ence ō-ˈbē-dē-ən(t)s 

ə-

1

a

: an act or instance of obeying

b

: the quality or state of being obedient

Children should learn obedience and respect for authority.

2

: a sphere of jurisdiction

landowners within the king's obedience

especially : an ecclesiastical or sometimes secular dominion

under the obedience of the Bishop of Rome

Synonyms

• compliance
• conformity
• submission
• subordination

Examples of obedience in a Sentence

the drill sergeant demanded complete and unquestioning obedience from the recruits

the cowardly obedience with which the dictator's henchmen followed his every command

Recent Examples on the Web

Most leaders instinctively prefer commitment because engagement feels better than grudging obedience. —Dan Pontefract, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025

Compliance is the act of going along with something — often imposed by a person or system — through reactive or passive obedience. —Sunita Sah, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2025

After Jessica Gibson adopted Zola, a former stray, the pup was kicked out of obedience school for bad behavior. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025

That training consists of canine psychology, obedience, agility, tracking, scent detection and more, according to the Sheriff’s Office. —Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin oboedientia "act of obeying" (Medieval Latin also, "sphere of jurisdiction"), noun derivative of oboedient-, oboedient obedient

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing obedience

• in obedience

Rhymes for obedience

• expedience
• disobedience

Kids Definition

obedience

noun

obe·​di·​ence ō-ˈbēd-ē-ən(t)s 

ə-

1

: an act or instance of obeying

2

: the quality or state of being obedient