If you have an obligationto do something, it is your duty to do that thing.
When teachers assign homework, students usually feel an obligation to do it.
Ministers are under no obligation to follow the committee's recommendations.
2. variable noun
If you have an obligationto a person, it is your duty to look after them or protect their interests.
The United States will do that which is necessary to meet its obligations to itsown citizens. [+ to]
I have an ethical and a moral obligation to my client. [+ to]
Synonyms: responsibility, duty, liability, accountability More Synonyms of obligation
3.
See without obligation
More Synonyms of obligation
obligation in British English
(ˌɒblɪˈɡeɪʃən)
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
a.
a written contract containing a penalty
b.
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
Derived forms
obligational (ˌobliˈgational)
adjective
obligation in American English
(ˌɑblɪˈgeɪʃən)
noun
1.
an obligating or being obligated
2.
a binding contract, promise, moral responsibility, etc.
3.
a duty imposed legally or socially; thing that one is bound to do by contract, promise, moral responsibility,etc.
4.
the binding power of a contract, promise, etc.
5.
a.
the condition or fact of being indebted to another for a favor or service received
b.
a favor or service
6. Law
a.
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)
b.
the bond, contract, or other document setting forth the terms of this agreement
Derived forms
obligational (ˌobliˈgational)
adjective
Word origin
ME obligacioun < OFr obligation < L obligatio
COBUILD Collocations
obligation
feel an obligation
fulfill an obligation
legal obligation
moral obligation
statutory obligation
Examples of 'obligation' in a sentence
obligation
She also feels an obligation to convey that to young people.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Sky claimed more than one club had failed to meet obligations.
The Sun (2016)
There is a belief that the employer has a moral and ethical obligation to the workforce.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The business had been in breach of its legal obligation to employ a transport manager to oversee safety procedures.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It fears legal challenges from people who say councils are not meeting an obligation to ensure their dignity and wellbeing.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
It recommended that a publicity campaign be launched to ensure employers know their legal obligations, and that workers know how to complain effectively.
The Sun (2017)
They were the responsible generation with a sense of duty and obligation.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Yet organizations bear social and ethical obligations for the safety and health of their employees.
A Conceptual View of Human Resource Management: Strategic Objectives, Environments,Functions
So you may feel a moral obligation to yourself to declare your love.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
We have a legal and moral obligation to ensure that these people and their familiesare protected.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
You have a moral obligation to highlight this.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
She has no sense of duty or obligation to the country.
The Sun (2015)
Work hard and respect your ethical obligations.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
People should not feel any obligation to stay with their bank if they are not satisfied.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There is no legal obligation for a manufacturer to make any spare parts available.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
When we see injustice we have a moral obligation to stand up and do something.
The Sun (2013)
The overwhelming reason for being involved with the scheme was to meet social obligations.
Torrington, Derek Personnel Management: A New Approach (1991)
Now it was not a matter of duty or obligation to get to know her.
Christianity Today (2000)
Businesses have realised for some time that sustainability is not only an ethical obligation but a commercial opportunity.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
There is no general legal obligation for annual service charge accounts to be prepared or audited by an accountant.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The entire medieval organization was based on a system of mutual obligations and services up and down the hierarchy.
Hunt, E. K. Property and Prophets: The Evolution of Economic Institutions and Ideologies (1995)
The freedom to act and a stern moral obligation to act in certain ways were seen as two sides of the same coin.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The corporation would still be governed as a not-for-profit company with public service obligations.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
obligation
British English: obligation NOUN
If you have an obligation to do something, it is your duty to do that thing.
When teachers assign homework, students usually feel an obligation to do it.
American English: obligation
Brazilian Portuguese: obrigação
Chinese: 义务
European Spanish: obligación
French: obligation
German: Pflicht
Italian: obbligo
Japanese: 義務
Korean: 의무
European Portuguese: obrigação
Latin American Spanish: obligación
Chinese translation of 'obligation'
obligation
(ɔblɪˈɡeɪʃən)
n(c/u)
责(責)任 (zérèn)
to have an obligation to do sth有责(責)任做某事 (yǒu zérèn zuò mǒushì)
to have an obligation to sb (to do sth)对(對)某人有(做某事)的责(責)任 (duì mǒurén yǒu (zuò mǒushì) de zérèn)
to be under an obligation to do sth有义(義)务(務)做某事 (yǒu yìwù zuò mǒushì)
to be under an obligation to sb对(對)某人有义(義)务(務) (duì mǒurén yǒu yìwù)
1 (noun)
Definition
a moral or legal duty
Students usually feel an obligation to attend lectures.
Synonyms
duty
pressure
He may be putting pressure on her to agree.
compulsion
Students learn more when they are in classes out of choice rather than compulsion.
2 (noun)
Definition
a moral or legal duty
I feel that's my obligation, to do whatever is possible.
Synonyms
task
He had the unenviable task of breaking the bad news.
job
Their main job is to preserve health rather than treat illness.
duty
My duty is to look after the animals.
work
What kind of work do you do?
calling
He was a serious man, dedicated to his calling as a physician.
business
Parenting can be a stressful business.
charge
role
His role in the events has been pivotal.
function
The main function of merchant banks is to raise capital.
mission
He viewed his mission in life as protecting the weak from evil.
province
Opera remained largely the province of the aristocracy.
assignment
The course involves written assignments and practical tests.
pigeon (informal)
chore
I find gardening a real chore.
3 (noun)
Definition
the binding power of such a duty
I have an ethical and moral obligation to my client.
Synonyms
responsibility
The 600 properties were his responsibility.
duty
liability
They admit liability, but dispute the amount of his claim.
accountability
an impetus towards democracy and greater accountability
culpability
He added there was clear culpability on the part of the government.
answerability
accountableness
4 (noun)
Definition
a sense of being in debt because of a service or favour
The companies failed to meet their obligation to plant new trees.
Synonyms
contract
The company won a prestigious contract for work on the building.
promise
If you make a promise, you should keep it.
agreement
a new defence agreement
understanding
We had not set a date but there was an understanding between us.
bond
I'm not about to betray my bond with my brother.
debt
He is still paying off his debts.
commitment
I've got too many commitments to take on anything more right now.
engagement
phrases
See under an obligation
See without obligation
Additional synonyms
in the sense of accountability
an impetus towards democracy and greater accountability
Synonyms
responsibility,
liability,
culpability,
answerability,
chargeability
in the sense of agreement
Definition
a legally enforceable contract
a new defence agreement
Synonyms
treaty,
contract,
bond,
arrangement,
alliance,
deal (informal),
understanding,
settlement,
bargain,
pact,
compact,
covenant,
entente
in the sense of assignment
Definition
something that has been assigned, such as a task
The course involves written assignments and practical tests.
Synonyms
task,
work,
job,
charge,
position,
post,
commission,
exercise,
responsibility,
duty,
mission,
appointment,
undertaking,
occupation,
chore
Synonyms of 'obligation'
obligation
Explore 'obligation' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bond
Definition
a written or spoken agreement, esp. a promise
I'm not about to betray my bond with my brother.
Synonyms
agreement,
word,
promise,
contract,
guarantee,
pledge,
obligation,
compact,
covenant
in the sense of business
Definition
an affair
Parenting can be a stressful business.
Synonyms
matter,
issue,
subject,
point,
problem,
question,
responsibility,
task,
duty,
function,
topic,
assignment
in the sense of calling
Definition
a profession or occupation, esp. a caring one
He was a serious man, dedicated to his calling as a physician.
Synonyms
profession,
work,
business,
line,
trade,
career,
mission,
employment,
province,
occupation,
pursuit,
vocation,
walk of life,
life's work,
métier
in the sense of chore
Definition
an unpleasant task
I find gardening a real chore.
Synonyms
task,
job,
duty,
burden,
hassle (informal),
fag (informal),
errand,
no picnic
in the sense of commitment
Definition
an obligation, responsibility, or promise that restricts freedom of action
I've got too many commitments to take on anything more right now.
Synonyms
responsibility,
tie,
duty,
obligation,
liability,
engagement
in the sense of compulsion
Definition
compelling or being compelled
Students learn more when they are in classes out of choice rather than compulsion.
Synonyms
force,
pressure,
obligation,
constraint,
urgency,
coercion,
duress,
demand
in the sense of culpability
He added there was clear culpability on the part of the government.
Synonyms
fault,
blameworthiness,
blame,
responsibility,
liability,
accountability,
answerability
in the sense of debt
Definition
a sum of money owed
He is still paying off his debts.
Synonyms
debit,
bill,
score,
account,
due,
duty,
commitment,
obligation,
liability,
arrears,
money owing
in the sense of engagement
Synonyms
promise,
word,
contract,
bond,
pledge,
undertaking,
vow,
obligation,
assurance,
pact,
compact,
oath
in the sense of function
Definition
the intended role or purpose of a person or thing
The main function of merchant banks is to raise capital.
Synonyms
purpose,
business,
job,
concern,
use,
part,
office,
charge,
role,
post,
operation,
situation,
activity,
exercise,
responsibility,
task,
duty,
mission,
employment,
capacity,
province,
occupation,
raison d'être
Additional synonyms
in the sense of job
Definition
a piece of work
Their main job is to preserve health rather than treat illness.
Synonyms
task,
concern,
duty,
charge,
work,
business,
role,
operation,
affair,
responsibility,
function,
contribution,
venture,
enterprise,
undertaking,
pursuit,
assignment,
stint,
chore,
errand
in the sense of liability
Definition
the state of being legally responsible
They admit liability, but dispute the amount of his claim.
Synonyms
responsibility,
accountability,
culpability,
obligation,
onus,
answerability
in the sense of mission
Definition
a task or duty that a person believes he or she must achieve
He viewed his mission in life as protecting the weak from evil.
Synonyms
task,
work,
calling,
business,
job,
office,
charge,
goal,
operation,
commission,
trust,
aim,
purpose,
duty,
undertaking,
pursuit,
quest,
assignment,
vocation,
errand
in the sense of pressure
Definition
a condition that is hard to bear
He may be putting pressure on her to agree.
Synonyms
power,
influence,
force,
obligation,
constraint,
sway,
compulsion,
coercion
in the sense of promise
Definition
an undertaking to do or not do something
If you make a promise, you should keep it.
Synonyms
guarantee,
word,
bond,
vow,
commitment,
pledge,
undertaking,
assurance,
engagement,
compact,
oath,
covenant,
word of honour
in the sense of province
Definition
an area of learning, activity, etc.
Opera remained largely the province of the aristocracy.
Synonyms
area,
business,
concern,
responsibility,
part,
line,
charge,
role,
post,
department (informal),
field,
duty,
function,
employment,
capacity,
orbit,
sphere,
turf (slang),
pigeon (British, informal)
in the sense of role
Definition
a task or function
His role in the events has been pivotal.
Synonyms
job,
part,
position,
post,
task,
duty,
function,
office,
capacity
in the sense of understanding
Definition
a mutual agreement, usually an informal or private one
We had not set a date but there was an understanding between us.