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

China is still defined by the United Nations as a "developing" country, meaning it has no formal obligation to cut greenhouse gas emissions or provide financial help to poorer countries.

From BBC

They will assuredly favor withdrawing from, undermining and hindering the authority of existing international agreements, international organizations, and established alliances and partnerships that impose entangling obligations on the U.S. and inhibit its freedom of action.

From Salon

There would be no obligation on major emerging economies like China, who would be “invited” to make additional contributions.

From BBC

A No 10 spokesman refused to comment on the specific case but said the government would fulfil its "legal obligations".

From BBC

Already this diverges from Schur’s previous hits, in that Charles doesn’t have a corporate structure to navigate or any professional obligations.

From Salon

Related Words

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