obligation
//ˌɒb.lɪˈɡeɪ.ʃn̩//
Forms
- Plural
- obligations
Definitions
1.The act of binding oneself by a social, legal, or moral tie to someone.
2.A social, legal, or moral requirement, duty, contract, or promise that compels someone to follow or avoid a particular course of action.
- I feel I'm under obligation to attend my sister's wedding, even though we have a very frosty relationship.
3.A course of action imposed by society, law, or conscience by which someone is bound or restricted.
4.A legal agreement stipulating a specified action or forbearance by a party to the agreement; the document containing such agreement.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #3092
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English obligacioun
From Old French obligacion
From Latin obligatio, obligationem
From obligatum (past participle of obligare)
From ob- (“to”) + ligare (“to bind”)
From Proto-Indo-European *leyǵ- (“to bind”).