Added 1 October 2026
obligation
/ˌɒb.lɪˈɡeɪ.ʃn̩/ noun
In Latin: obligātiō Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about obligation at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- The act of binding oneself by a social, legal, or moral tie to someone.
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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.
- A course of action imposed by society, law, or conscience by which someone is bound or restricted.
Origin
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”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)