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View synonyms for

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:

  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: ,

  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

/ ˌɒɪˈɡɪʃə /

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˌDzˈپDzԲ, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • o··tDz noun
  • o··tDz noun
  • p·Dzl·tDz noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of obligation1

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English obligacioun, from Old French obligation, from Latin Dzپō-, stem of Dzپō “bond, engagement, pledge,” from Dz(ܲ) “bound” (past participle of Dz; obligate ) + -ion
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Synonym Study

See duty.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Pity it feels a sense of obligation to have Chris shoot more than lovelorn blanks.

From

The council conceded that they had a legal obligation to provide male and female facilities at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Wednesday.

From

It said dentists were under no obligation to register health service patients.

From

But at the Court of Session in Edinburgh the council conceded that they had a legal obligation to provide male and female facilities.

From

A Department for Transport spokesperson said expanding Heathrow would drive growth, trade and tourism, adding: "Any proposals are assessed against the government's legal, carbon and environmental obligations."

From

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