compulsory

American  

[kuhm-puhl-suh-ree] / kəmˈpʌl sə ri /

adjective

1. required; mandatory; obligatory.

   compulsory education.

   Antonyms:

   voluntary

2. using compulsion; compelling; constraining.

   compulsory measures to control rioting.

   Antonyms:

   voluntary

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noun

compulsories plural

1. something, as an athletic feat, that must be performed or completed as part of a contest or competition.

   The ice skater received a higher score on the compulsories than on her freestyle performance.

compulsory British  

/ kəmˈpʌlsərɪ /

adjective

1. required by regulations or laws; obligatory

   compulsory education

2. involving or employing compulsion; compelling; necessary; essential

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• compulsoriness
  noun
• noncompulsorilyness
  noun
• noncompulsory
  adjective
• quasi-compulsory
  adjective
• uncompulsory
  adjective
• compulsorily
  adverb
• noncompulsorily
  adverb
• quasi-compulsorily
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• compulsories
  plural

Etymology

Origin of compulsory

1510–20; < Medieval Latin compulsōrius, equivalent to Latin compul-, variant stem of compellere ( see compel) + -sōrius, for -tōrius -tory ¹; cf. compulsive

Explanation

When something is compulsory, it is required or must be done. In most states, it's compulsory for kids to attend school (or an equivalent homeschool) from age six to seventeen. This adjective is from Medieval Latin compulsorius, "using force," from Classical Latin compellere, "to force." The Latin suffix –orius corresponds to English -ory, "containing or involving." Other English words descended from the same Latin verb are compel and compulsive.

Example Sentences

In a sign of the union’s power, the deal ruled out compulsory redundancies and site closures in Germany at least until the end of 2030.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 10, 2026

It also said these candidates should face a compulsory evidence session prior to their appointment.

From BBC • Jul. 9, 2026

All seven members then had to complete compulsory military service in South Korea, putting the band on hiatus for three years.

From BBC • Jul. 7, 2026

Everllence’s German sites will be retained under the new structure until at least the end of 2030 and compulsory redundancies will be ruled out during this period.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026

That evening, Shin went with his mother to an “ideological struggle” meeting, a compulsory gathering for self-criticism.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden

Related Words

• de rigueur
• forced
• imperative
• mandatory
• obligatory
• required