obligate

[ verb ob-li-geyt; adjective ob-li-git, -geyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ob·li·gat·ed, ob·li·gat·ing.

1. to bind or oblige morally or legally:

   to obligate oneself to purchase a building.

2. to pledge, commit, or bind (funds, property, etc.) to meet an obligation.

adjective

1. morally or legally bound; obliged; constrained.
2. necessary; essential.
3. Biology. restricted to a particular condition of life, as certain organisms that can survive only in the absence of oxygen ( facultative ):

   obligate anaerobe.

obligate

/ ˈɒblɪˌɡeɪt /

verb

1. to compel, constrain, or oblige morally or legally
2. (in the US) to bind (property, funds, etc) as security

adjective

1. compelled, bound, or restricted
2. See facultative
   biology able to exist under only one set of environmental conditions Compare facultative

   an obligate parasite cannot live independently of its host

obligate

/ ŏb′lĭ-gĭt,-gāt′ /

1. Capable of existing only in a particular environment or by assuming a particular role. An obligate aerobe, such as certain bacteria, can live only in the presence of oxygen. An obligate parasite cannot survive independently of its host.
2. Compare facultative

Derived Forms

• ˈobliˌgator, noun
• obˈligative, adjective
• ˈobligable, adjective

Other Words From

• ob·li·ga·ble [ob, -li-g, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• ob·li·ga·tor noun
• pre·ob·li·gate verb (used with object) preobligated preobligating
• re·ob·li·gate verb (used with object) reobligated reobligating

Word History and Origins

Origin of obligate¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English obligat, from Latin obligātus (past participle of obligāre “to bind”), equivalent to ob- + ligātus; ob-, ligate

Word History and Origins

Origin of obligate¹

C16: from Latin obligāre to oblige

Example Sentences

Alvarez told Voice of San Diego that he couldn’t discuss the nature of his work at the Water Authority because his contract obligates him to maintain confidentiality.

From Voice of San Diego

She’s obligated to give location information to local cities to help with their containment efforts but vowed only to publicly identify a specific location if, in her opinion, it constituted an ongoing threat.

From Voice of San Diego

The USPS hasn’t been obligated to make changes or pay penalties for any of the reported safety hazards.

From ProPublica

Through the 19th and early 20th centuries, presidents were often creatures of their parties, dependent on state and local party leaders to nominate them, and as such, often obligated to reward them with appointments in the federal government.

From FiveThirtyEight

Each person was obligated to give a toast during the marathon event.

From MIT Technology Review

Even then, the settlement does not obligate the Wilpon/Katz crowd until year four to make payment of half of what is still owed.

From The Daily Beast

The same reasons that obligate a person to accept circumcision also obligate a person to accept the whole Law.

From Project Gutenberg

Similarly, he who would be under obligation to none must obligate himself to all in every respect.

From Project Gutenberg

The best way, then, to be under obligation to none is, through love to obligate one's self in every respect to all men.

From Project Gutenberg

"Me and Si Klegg'll march 'em over there, and obligate ourselves not to lose a rooster of 'em," said Shorty.

From Project Gutenberg

The mere fact that I happened to save your life does not obligate me to marry you, Miss Wharton.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• constrain
• oblige