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.

Related Words

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