Obligation

Quick meaning: Obligation is a noun meaning The act of binding oneself by a social, legal, or moral tie to someone.

Meaning

The act of binding oneself by a social, legal, or moral tie to someone.

More Meanings

1. A social, legal, or moral requirement, duty, contract, or promise that compels someone to follow or avoid a particular course of action.
2. A course of action imposed by society, law, or conscience by which someone is bound or restricted.
3. (law) A legal agreement stipulating a specified action or forbearance by a party to the agreement; the document containing such agreement.
4. (countable) Reason for being obliged to, that is, grateful for, something.

Example Sentences

I feel I'm under obligation to attend my sister's wedding, even though we have a very frosty relationship.

The Pupil after his Pupillarity, had granted a Diſcharge to one of the Co-tutors, which did extinguiſh the whole Debt of that Co-tutor, and conſequently of all the reſt, they being all correi debendi, lyable by one individual Obligation, which cannot be Diſcharged as to one, and ſtand as to all the reſt.

I am indebted to several friends for notes, observations, and correspondence on this subject, more especially to one, referred to as "Z.," and to another as "Q.," who have obtained a considerable number of reliable histories for me, and have also supplied many valuable notes [...]. Other obligations are mentioned in the text.

Word Forms

• obligations

Synonyms for obligation

Depending on context, synonyms include commitment, duty, responsibility.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include duty, responsibility, binding, duty-bound, devoir, mandate.

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