Obligation definition

ŏblĭ-gāshən
obligations
See word origin
Frequency:
A duty imposed legally or socially; thing that one is bound to do by contract, promise, moral responsibility, etc.
noun
70
19
The binding power of a contract, promise, etc.
noun
47
9
A binding contract, promise, moral responsibility, etc.
noun
40
17
An obligating or being obligated.
noun
37
14
The definition of an obligation is something that someone is required to do.

An example of obligation is for a student to turn in his homework on time every day.

noun
11
0
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A moral or legal duty to perform or to not perform some action.
noun
3
0
The constraining power of a promise, contract, law, or sense of duty.

I felt no obligation to offer my advice.

noun
2
0
A social, legal, or moral requirement, duty, contract, or promise that compels someone to follow or avoid a particular course of action.
noun
2
1
(law) A document in which a person binds himself or herself to undertake or refrain from doing a particular act.
noun
1
0
The condition or fact of being indebted to another for a favor or service received.
noun
1
0
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A favor or service.
noun
1
0
An agreement or duty by which one person (the obligor) is legally bound to make payment or perform services for the benefit of another (the obligee)
noun
1
0
The bond, contract, or other document setting forth the terms of this agreement.
noun
1
0
(law) A legal agreement stipulating a specified payment or action; the document containing such agreement.

X shall be entitled to subcontract its obligation to provide the Support Services. <<from an agreement>>

noun
3
3
A social, legal, or moral requirement, such as a duty, contract, or promise, that compels one to follow or avoid a particular course of action.

Are you able to meet your obligations? I have an obligation to attend their wedding.

noun
1
1
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The state, fact, or feeling of being indebted to another for a special service or favor received.

If they invite us, aren't we under obligation to invite them in return?

noun
0
1
A debt instrument, such as a loan, mortgage, or bond.
noun
0
1
The act of binding oneself by a social, legal, or moral tie to someone.
noun
0
1
A course of action imposed by society, law, or conscience by which someone is bound or restricted.
noun
0
1
A binding, formal arrangement or an agreement to a liability to pay a specified amount or to do a certain thing for a person or group of persons. See also duty and liability.
noun
1
4
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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
obligation
Plural:
obligations

Origin of obligation

  • From Latin obligatio, from obligatum (past participle of obligare), from ob- to + ligare to bind, from Proto-Indo-European *leig- (“to bind").

    From Wiktionary

Obligation Sentence Examples

  • Now, you have an obligation to the monster you created.

  • There's no obligation in knowing what it is.

  • The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think right.

  • In fact, he was under no obligation to help her get back, either.

  • Obviously being here was an obligation for both of them.

More sentences

Related articles

Words near obligation in the Dictionary