mandatory

[ man-duh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

adjective

1. authoritatively ordered; obligatory; compulsory:

   It is mandatory that all students take two years of math.

   Synonyms: exigent, requisite

2. pertaining to, of the nature of, or containing a command.
3. Law. permitting no option; not to be disregarded or modified:

   a mandatory clause.

4. having received a mandate, as a nation.

noun

, plural man·da·to·ries.

1. mandatary.

mandatory

/ ˈmændətərɪ; -trɪ /

adjective

1. having the nature or powers of a mandate
2. obligatory; compulsory
3. (of a state) having received a mandate over some territory

noun

1. Also calledmandatary a person or state holding a mandate

Derived Forms

• ˈmandatorily, adverb

Other Words From

• manda·tori·ly adverb
• non·manda·tory adjective noun plural nonmandatories
• un·manda·tory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mandatory¹

From the Late Latin word mandātōrius, dating back to 1655–65. See mandate, -tory ¹

Example Sentences

From October 2024, it became a mandatory requirement for local authorities to share their figures.

From BBC

Most operators opt to have their deep-sea subs certified - but it is not mandatory.

From BBC

This is a line of spending which is “mandatory”, meaning it must be spent by law on those eligible.

From BBC

Other large mandatory lines of government expenditure include Medicare - a government-funded health insurance program primarily serving Americans aged over 65.

From BBC

In theory, discretionary spending would be easier for the incoming Trump administration to cut than mandatory spending.

From BBC

Related Words

• binding
• compulsory
• de rigueur
• essential
• forced
• imperative
• indispensable
• involuntary
• obligatory