accordance

When things are done in accordance with rules, laws, or wishes, it means they're happening the way they should. Think of a perfectly choreographed dance – each movement is in accordance with the music and the overall plan. If you follow instructions carefully, you're acting in accordance with them. It suggests alignment and proper order. A judge might rule in accordance with precedent, meaning they are following established legal principles.

The word hints at a sense of harmony and agreement. Your views can be in accordance with someone else's – meaning you agree. Or you can act in accordance with someone's beliefs or values, meaning your actions line up with what those beliefs call for (even if you don't personally share them). A decision can also be made in accordance with a contract – meaning it follows the terms laid out within that document. It's about things lining up, fitting together, and being consistent.

"Accordance" describes the state of being in harmony or conformity with something else – whether it's rules, laws, wishes, principles, or beliefs. It implies a deliberate alignment between actions and expectations. For example: "The company operated in accordance with strict safety regulations," meaning they followed those regulations carefully.

You'll often see "in accordance with" used to explain how something is being done. A legal document might state that payments will be made "in accordance with the terms of this agreement." This means the payment schedule and amount are dictated by what's written in the contract. Similarly, a scientist conducting an experiment must follow procedures "in accordance with established scientific methods."

But it's not just about rules and regulations. You can also act in accordance with your own values or beliefs. "She lived her life in accordance with her principles," suggests she made choices that reflected what was important to her.

In modern English, it's most common in the fixed phrase "in accordance with." The word is closely related to accord, which traces back to a root meaning "heart"—a nice fit for the idea of being "in harmony." It's about things being right, proper, and consistent: a state where everything is working together as it should. So when you hear "in accordance with," think of alignment, harmony, and doing things the way they are meant to be done.