compliance
kuhm-PLY-uhns
/kəmˈplaɪ.əns/
The action or fact of complying with a wish or command; meeting official requirements.
In business, it specifically refers to following laws, regulations, and internal policies.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'complere', meaning 'to fill up' or 'complete'. When you are in compliance, you have 'filled' all the requirements of the law.
Word relationships
- adherence: Adherence suggests sticking to a plan or belief; compliance suggests following a rule or law.
- defiance: Open resistance or bold disobedience.
- violation: The act of breaking a law or agreement.
Commonly confused with
- conformance: Conformance is often about meeting technical standards; compliance is about following legal rules.
Word family
- compliant (adjective): Meeting or following rules.
- comply (verb): To act in accordance with a wish or command.
Collocations
- regulatory compliance
- strict compliance
- ensure compliance
- in compliance with
Example sentences
- "The factory was shut down for failing to maintain compliance with environmental regulations." Regulatory Environment
- "Our compliance department ensures that all financial transactions follow international anti-money laundering laws." Corporate Governance
Memory hook
When you 'Comply', you 'Complete' the 'Alliance' with the rules. Filling the requirements.
When not to use
Don't use 'compliance' for simply agreeing with a friend; it carries a weight of formal authority.
Fun facts
- The 'Compliance Officer' is one of the fastest-growing job titles in the banking and healthcare sectors.
Explore more words
comply, compliant, Obedience, enforce, enforcement, Conformity
Also appears in
- Leadership → Ethical Governance
- Relationships → Peer Pressure & Conformity
- Business → Quality Control & Standards
- Business → Business Ethics & Compliance
- Finance → Taxation & Revenue
- Finance → Auditing & Accounting
- Law → Corporate Law & Regulation
- Psychology → Group Dynamics & Social Influence
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → Climate Policy & International Agreements
- Engineering & Industrial Design → Accessibility & Universal Design
- Education & Pedagogy → Discipline & Classroom Management
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → Urban Pollution & Smog
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → International Environmental Accords
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → E-Waste & Technological Disposal
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → Corporate Social Responsibility
- Pets & Animals (Domestic) → Animal Training & Behavior
- Skilled Trades & Construction → Construction Site Management
- Civic Life & Public Services → Personal Tax Filing & Returns
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.