comply

Comply is a verb meaning to act in accordance with a rule, request, order, or standard. It is usually followed by with: to comply with a law, with a contract, or with an instruction. The term conveys adherence or conformity rather than personal agreement, and it is commonly contrasted with resisting or ignoring a rule. In some contexts, especially informal or older usage, comply may take other prepositions, but comply with remains standard.

Compliance describes the state or act of meeting these obligations. In business and government, compliance programs are designed to ensure that organizations follow applicable laws and standards, document controls, and enable audits. Regulatory compliance reduces legal risk and helps protect stakeholders, while poor compliance can lead to penalties, sanctions, or reputational damage. Compliance activity often overlaps with ethics, risk management, and governance.

Examples of usage include a company complying with data protection laws by implementing safeguards and breach notification procedures, an employee complying with workplace policies by following hours, safety procedures, and code of conduct, and a jurisdiction requiring financial institutions to comply with anti-money-laundering rules. The noun form is compliance; the adjective is compliant.

Etymology traces the verb to older forms in English influenced by Old French and Latin, with the sense of fulfilling obligations evolving over time. Related terms include comply or explain, conformity, obedience, and adherence.