Definitions for obligation
ˌɒb lɪˈgeɪ ʃənobli·ga·tion

Princeton's WordNet(3.50 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. duty, responsibility, obligation(noun)

   the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

   "we must instill a sense of duty in our children"; "every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty"- John D.Rockefeller Jr

2. obligation(noun)

   the state of being obligated to do or pay something

   "he is under an obligation to finish the job"

3. obligation, indebtedness(noun)

   a personal relation in which one is indebted for a service or favor

4. debt instrument, obligation, certificate of indebtedness(noun)

   a written promise to repay a debt

5. obligation(noun)

   a legal agreement specifying a payment or action and the penalty for failure to comply

Wiktionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. obligation(Noun)

   The act of binding oneself by a social, legal, or moral tie to someone.

   Etymology: From Latin obligatio, from obligatum (past participle of obligare), from ob- to + ligare to bind, from leig-.

2. obligation(Noun)

   A social, legal, or moral requirement, duty, contract, or promise that compels someone to follow or avoid a particular course of action.

   Etymology: From Latin obligatio, from obligatum (past participle of obligare), from ob- to + ligare to bind, from leig-.

3. obligation(Noun)

   A course of action imposed by society, law, or conscience by which someone is bound or restricted.

   Etymology: From Latin obligatio, from obligatum (past participle of obligare), from ob- to + ligare to bind, from leig-.

4. obligation(Noun)

   A legal agreement stipulating a specified payment or action; the document containing such agreement.

   X shall be entitled to subcontract its obligation to provide the Support Services.

   Etymology: From Latin obligatio, from obligatum (past participle of obligare), from ob- to + ligare to bind, from leig-.

Wikipedia(4.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Obligation

   An obligation is a course of action that someone is required to take, whether legal or moral. Obligations are constraints; they limit our freedom. We can choose however, to freely act under obligations. Obligation exists when there is a choice to do what is morally good and what is morally unacceptable. There are also obligations in other normative contexts, such as obligations of etiquette, social obligations, religious and possibly in terms of politics, where obligations are requirements which must be fulfilled. These are generally legal obligations, which can incur a penalty for non-fulfilment, although certain people are obliged to carry out certain actions for other reasons as well, whether as a tradition or for social reasons. Obligations vary from person to person: for example, a person holding a political office will generally have far more obligations than an average adult citizen, who themselves will have more obligations than a child. Obligations are generally granted in return for an increase in an individual's rights or power. For example, an employer-to-employee obligation for health and safety in a workplace may be to ensure that the fire exit is not blocked.

Webster Dictionary(4.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Obligation(noun)

   the act of obligating

   Etymology: [F. obligation. L. obligatio. See Oblige.]

2. Obligation(noun)

   that which obligates or constrains; the binding power of a promise, contract, oath, or vow, or of law; that which constitutes legal or moral duty

   Etymology: [F. obligation. L. obligatio. See Oblige.]

3. Obligation(noun)

   any act by which a person becomes bound to do something to or for anouther, or to forbear something; external duties imposed by law, promise, or contract, by the relations of society, or by courtesy, kindness, etc

   Etymology: [F. obligation. L. obligatio. See Oblige.]

4. Obligation(noun)

   the state of being obligated or bound; the state of being indebted for an act of favor or kindness; as, to place others under obligations to one

   Etymology: [F. obligation. L. obligatio. See Oblige.]

5. Obligation(noun)

   a bond with a condition annexed, and a penalty for nonfulfillment. In a larger sense, it is an acknowledgment of a duty to pay a certain sum or do a certain things

   Etymology: [F. obligation. L. obligatio. See Oblige.]

Freebase(1.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Obligation

   An obligation is a course of action that someone is required to take, whether legal or moral. There are also obligations in other normative contexts, such as obligations of etiquette, social obligations, and possibly in terms of politics, where obligations are requirements which must be fulfilled. These are generally legal obligations, which can incur a penalty for non-fulfilment, although certain people are obliged to carry out certain actions for other reasons as well, whether as a tradition or for social reasons. Obligations vary from person to person: for example, a person holding a political office will generally have far more obligations than an average adult citizen, who themselves will have more obligations than a child. Obligations are generally granted in return for an increase in an individual's rights or power. For example, obligations for health and safety in a workplace from employer to employee maybe to ensure the fire exit isn't blocked or ensure that the plugs are put in firmly. The word "obligation" can also designate a written obligation, or such things as bank notes, coins, checks, bonds, stamps, or securities.

Dictionary of Nautical Terms(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. obligation

   A bond containing a penalty, with a condition annexed for payment of money or performance of covenants.

Editors Contribution(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. obligation

   An agreement to do, achieve or complete a goal or task.

   The obligation was to ensure that everyone's voice was heard and it was easily achieved as they listened.

   Submitted by MaryC on February 13, 2020  

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'obligation' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #4107

2. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'obligation' in Nouns Frequency: #1086

How to pronounce obligation?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say obligation in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of obligation in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of obligation in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of obligation in a Sentence

1. Rick Santorum:

   Because the Supreme Court says something doesn't necessarily mean it's the law of the land, my belief is that when the Supreme Court acts beyond their constitutional authority, then we have every obligation to fight that.

2. Nasdaq Inc -LRB- NDAQ.O -RRB-:

   One critical quality of our capital markets is that we provide non-discriminatory and fair access to all eligible companies, the statutory obligation of all U.S. equity exchanges to do so creates a vibrant market that provides diverse investment opportunities for U.S. investors.

3. Lisa Murkowski:

   I find it somewhat troubling that even before the President named Judge Kavanaugh that there were those who were roundly condemning the nominee without knowing who the nominee is, i think that there is a process -- that process needs to be fair, it needs to be open. We all, every member of the United States Senate has an equal obligation to thoroughly vet this nominee. And we will come down on one side or the other but in due deference to the nominee and in due deference to the president's prerogative to name a nominee. We have an obligation to thoroughly work through this advice and consent process.

4. Marty Carpenter:

   However, when a jury makes the decision and a judge signs a death warrant, enforcing that lawful decision is the obligation of the executive branch.

5. Heidi Heitkamp:

   I reminded them this is what I do. I don't take shortcuts, i've taken some tough votes in the Senate. I've taken some tough votes that Democrats haven't liked in the Senate. I've taken some votes that Republicans haven't liked, but at the end of Election Day, you have an obligation to do the right thing as you see it, and I think that's what's missing maybe a little bit in politics today.

Images & Illustrations of obligation

Popularity rank by frequency of use