# obedience

/oʊˈbidiəns/ (US) · /əʊbˈiːdiəns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/obedience
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. following orders

noun · CEFR B2

the act of doing what an authority figure, a rule, or a law tells you to do.

For teachers: the state or quality of being compliant with the commands or guidance of an authority.

- The dog was praised for its perfect obedience during the training session.
- The military demands absolute obedience from its soldiers to ensure that complex operations are carried out without hesitation or error.

### 2. religious duty

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a formal promise or duty to follow the rules of a religious leader or group.

For teachers: the submission to the authority of a religious superior or the rules of a monastic order.

- The monks took a vow of obedience to their abbot.
- In many traditional religious orders, the vow of obedience is considered a fundamental pillar of spiritual discipline and communal harmony.

Usage: Often used in the context of monastic vows.

## Examples

- The dog received a treat for its obedience.
- Military training emphasizes strict obedience to the chain of command to ensure safety and efficiency during operations.
- The experiment sought to determine whether participants would prioritize their own moral compass over blind obedience to an authority figure who demanded they perform unethical tasks.

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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.