obligation

[ ob-li-gey-shuhn ]

noun

1. something by which a person is bound or obliged to do certain things, and which arises out of a sense of duty or results from custom, law, etc.

   Synonyms: responsibility

2. something that is done or is to be done for such reasons:

   to fulfill one's obligations.

3. a binding promise, contract, sense of duty, etc.
4. the act of binding or obliging oneself by a promise, contract, etc.
5. Law.
   1. an agreement enforceable by law, originally applied to promises under seal.
   2. a document containing such an agreement.
   3. a bond containing a penalty, with a condition annexed for payment of money, performance of covenants, etc.

   Synonyms: covenant, contract

6. any bond, note, bill, certificate, or the like, as of a government or a corporation, serving as evidence of indebtedness.
7. an indebtedness or amount of indebtedness.
8. a favor, service, or benefit for which gratitude is due.
9. a debt of gratitude:

   He felt an obligation to his teacher.

10. the state of being under a debt, as of gratitude, for a favor, service, or benefit.

obligation

/ ˌɒblɪˈɡeɪʃən /

noun

1. a moral or legal requirement; duty
2. the act of obligating or the state of being obligated
3. law a legally enforceable agreement to perform some act, esp to pay money, for the benefit of another party
4. law
   1. a written contract containing a penalty
   2. an instrument acknowledging indebtedness to secure the repayment of money borrowed
5. a person or thing to which one is bound morally or legally
6. something owed in return for a service or favour
7. a service or favour for which one is indebted

Derived Forms

• ˌobliˈgational, adjective

Other Words From

• preob·li·gation noun
• reob·li·gation noun
• super·obli·gation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of obligation¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English obligacioun, from Old French obligation, from Latin obligātiōn-, stem of obligātiō “bond, engagement, pledge,” from obligāt(us) “bound” (past participle of obligāre; obligate ) + -iō -ion

Synonym Study

See duty.

Example Sentences

“The people deeply respect the office of the president, are mindful of the demands and obligations of the presidency, and acknowledge that defendant’s inauguration will raise unprecedented legal questions,” Bragg wrote.

From Salon

It was committed to transparency but there was "an expectation and obligation that the customer completes their own due diligence".

From BBC

“Officers owe a special duty and have a special obligation to keep the trust of the citizens they police,” Judge Wesley L. Hsu, who handed down the sentence, said at the hearing Friday.

From Los Angeles Times

One Putin ally has said publicly that Trump has “obligations” to those who brought him into power.

From Salon

It is my duty to honour my constitutional and church responsibilities, so exact timings will be decided once a review of necessary obligations has been completed, including those in England and in the Anglican Communion.

From BBC

Related Words

• accountability
• agreement
• bond
• burden
• commitment
• constraint
• contract
• debt
• duty
• liability
• necessity
• need
• promise
• requirement
• right
• trust
• understanding