obligation
pronunciation
How to pronounce obligation in British English:
UK [ˌɒblɪˈɡeɪʃn]
How to pronounce obligation in American English:
US [ˌɑːblɪˈɡeɪʃn]
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- Noun:
- the social force that binds you to your obligations and the courses of action demanded by that force
- the state of being obligated to do or pay something
- a personal relation in which one is indebted for a service or favor
- a legal agreement specifying a payment or action and the penalty for failure to comply
Word Origin
- obligation (n.)
- c. 1300, from Old French obligacion "obligation, duty, responsibility" (early 13c.) and directly from Latin obligationem (nominative obligatio) "an engaging or pledging," literally "a binding" (but rarely used in this sense), noun of action from past participle stem of obligare (see oblige). The notion is of binding with promises or by law or duty.
Synonym
commitment arrangement indenture contract understanding stipulation word bond promise pledge treaty compact deal oath pact guaranty covenant agreement
constraint prerequisite compulsion must necessity enforcement necessitude demand duress pressure requirement
Example
- 1. Voters are under no obligation to be so gullible .
- 2. A true sense of ownership and obligation was missing .
- 3. The second obligation that information creates for executives is to identify and mentor thought leaders .
- 4. While stocks give owners certain rights , they do not carry obligation in case the company defaults or faces a lawsuit .
- 5. Chechens felt little obligation to the soviet state .