compulsory

[ kuhm-puhl-suh-ree ]

adjective

1. required; mandatory; obligatory:

   compulsory education.

   Antonyms: voluntary

2. using compulsion; compelling; constraining:

   compulsory measures to control rioting.

   Antonyms: voluntary

noun

, plural com·pul·so·ries.

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

/ kəmˈpʌlsərɪ /

adjective

1. required by regulations or laws; obligatory

   compulsory education

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

Derived Forms

• comˈpulsorily, adverb
• comˈpulsoriness, noun

Other Words From

• com·pulso·ri·ly adverb
• com·pulso·ri·ness noun
• noncom·pulso·ri·ly adverb
• noncom·pulso·ri·ly·ness noun
• noncom·pulso·ry adjective
• quasi-com·pulso·ri·ly adverb
• quasi-com·pulso·ry adjective
• uncom·pulso·ry adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of compulsory¹

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

Example Sentences

It is not the first time Iranian authorities have branded a woman protesting compulsory hijab laws with a mental illness.

From BBC

In February, Myanmar’s military regime, known as the junta, announced compulsory conscription, meaning all men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 would be forced to serve for up to two years.

From BBC

In a note to employees on Tuesday, the company's chairman Lord Rose said office attendance would also become compulsory for at least three days per week from January.

From BBC

Human rights activists have called on authorities in Iran to release a woman who was detained after removing her clothes at a university, in what they said was a protest against the compulsory hijab laws.

From BBC

While being a handyman might be a desirable trait, it is not compulsory.

From BBC

Related Words

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