# compliance

/kəmˈpɫaɪəns/ (US) · /kəmplˈaɪəns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/compliance
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. following rules or laws

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of obeying a law, rule, or request.

For teachers: the act of adhering to or conforming with a law, regulation, or set of standards. Uncountable in its general sense.

- The company is in full compliance with the new safety laws.
- The audit confirmed that the firm's financial reporting was in strict compliance with international accounting standards.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'with'.

### 2. corporate department

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the department in a company that makes sure everyone follows the rules.

For teachers: the internal department or function within an organisation responsible for ensuring that all legal and regulatory requirements are met.

- If you have questions about the new policy, you should talk to someone in compliance.
- The compliance department issued a memo regarding the ethical implications of accepting gifts from potential vendors.

Teaching tip: In a business context, 'Compliance' is often used as a proper noun to refer to the specific office or team.

### 3. medical treatment

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

how well a patient follows the doctor's advice or takes their medicine.

For teachers: the degree to which a patient correctly follows medical advice, particularly regarding medication schedules or lifestyle changes.

- The doctor was worried about the patient's compliance with the daily exercise plan.
- Poor patient compliance remains a significant barrier to the effective management of chronic hypertension.

Usage: In modern medicine, 'adherence' is increasingly preferred over 'compliance' to suggest a more collaborative relationship between doctor and patient.

### 4. yielding to others

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

the habit of doing what other people want you to do.

For teachers: a disposition or tendency to yield to the wishes or demands of others.

- Her quiet compliance made it easy for her boss to give her extra work.
- The negotiator mistook his opponent's outward compliance for a genuine willingness to concede on the core issues of the treaty.

## Examples

- The factory is in full compliance with safety laws.
- The audit team checked every document to ensure strict compliance with the new international banking regulations.
- While the initial costs of environmental compliance are high, the long-term benefits include reduced legal liability and a significantly improved public reputation for the corporation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.