Definition of OBLIGATION

obligation

Meanings

Plural: obligations

Noun

  • the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force; ; - John D.Rockefeller Jr
    • "every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty"
  • the state of being obligated to do or pay something
    • "he is under an obligation to finish the job"
  • a personal relation in which one is indebted for a service or favor
  • a written promise to repay a debt
  • a legal agreement specifying a payment or action and the penalty for failure to comply
  • The act of binding oneself by a social, legal, or moral tie to someone.
  • A social, legal, or moral requirement, duty, contract, or promise that compels someone to follow or avoid a particular course of action.
  • A course of action imposed by society, law, or conscience by which someone is bound or restricted.
  • A legal agreement stipulating a specified action or forbearance by a party to the agreement; the document containing such agreement.
  • Reason for being obliged to, that is, grateful for, something.

Origin / 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”).

Synonyms

certificate of indebtedness, commitment, debt instrument, duty, indebtedness, responsibility

Antonyms

right

Scrabble Score: 13

obligation is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
obligation is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
obligation is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 17

obligation is a valid Words With Friends word