obedience

noun

obe·​di·​ence ō-ˈbē-dē-ən(t)s How to pronounce obedience (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 The first step of the process is to establish basic obedience behavior, according to a Dogster article medically reviewed by Dr. Marta Vidal-Abarca. Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025 Members take vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, choosing to live as a family rather than marrying. Lisa Ling, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2025 When counting the canines in the show's agility, obedience, junior competitions, and other events, the AKC National Championship hosts over 9,400 dogs. Kelli Bender, People.com, 27 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for obedience

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of obedience was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Obedience.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obedience. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

obedience

noun
obe·​di·​ence ō-ˈbēd-ē-ən(t)s How to pronounce obedience (audio)
ə-
1
: an act or instance of obeying
2
: the quality or state of being obedient

More from Merriam-Webster on obedience

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