obligation

noun

ob·li·ga·tion | \ ˌä-blə-ˈgā-shən

Definition of obligation

1 : the action of obligating oneself to a course of action (as by a promise or vow)

2a : something (such as a formal contract, a promise, or the demands of conscience or custom) that obligates one to a course of action made an obligation to pay their children's college expenses

b : a debt security (such as a mortgage or corporate bond)

c : a commitment (as by a government) to pay a particular sum of money also : an amount owed under such an obligation Unable to meet its obligations, the company went into bankruptcy.

3a : a condition or feeling of being obligated felt an obligation to vote

b : a debt of gratitude returned the favor as an obligation

4 : something one is bound to do : duty, responsibility countries in which military service is an obligation fulfilled their familial obligations

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Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing obligation Learn More About obligation

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Examples of obligation in a Sentence

She believes that all people have a moral obligation to defend human rights. He argues that people in a community have certain obligations to each other. She failed to fulfill her obligations as a parent.

Recent Examples on the Web That opens the possibility of it being declared in default on the obligation, and could trigger cross-default on other offshore debt, the note’s prospectus shows. — Alice Huang, Fortune, 12 May 2022 In some instances, an executive can negotiate with the Board, investors and underwriters to sell shares into the offering in an amount equivalent to the loan obligation and any taxes associated with the gain. — Svb Contributor, Forbes, 2 May 2022 The city’s parking obligation is linked, in part, to the formation of the ballpark district. — Jeff Mcdonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2022 That same weariness shows on Ford who, decades after Roosevelt, is still subject to host duties, simpering male cabinet members, and the obligation to forgo her own professional dreams. — Jenny Singer, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2022 What also leaps out from the polling is that Americans believe in NATO and the obligation to militarily come to defense of our allies if attacked by Russia. — Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 16 Mar. 2022 The highest salary-cap obligation was attached to Detroit Lions edge rusher Trey Flowers at $23.239 million. — Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 15 Mar. 2022 Companies operating in different geographies are faced with different maturity levels of national IT infrastructures and the obligation to meet local regulatory and sometimes market requirements. — Joe Peppard And Kristine Dery, WSJ, 6 Mar. 2022 Informing yourself about public policy was a civic duty, no less serious than the religious obligation to attend Mass on Sunday. — Eileen Mcnamara, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Mar. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'obligation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

21 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Obligation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obligation. Accessed 26 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for obligation

obligation

noun

ob·li·ga·tion | \ ˌä-blə-ˈgā-shən

Kids Definition of obligation

1 : something a person must do because of the demands of a promise or contract Make sure you know your rights and obligations before you sign.

2 : something a person feels he or she must do : duty I can't go because of other obligations.

3 : a feeling of being indebted for an act of kindness Don't feel any obligation to return the favor.

obligation

noun

ob·li·ga·tion | \ ˌä-blə-ˈgā-shən

Legal Definition of obligation

1 : a promise, acknowledgment, or agreement (as a contract) that binds one to a specific performance (as payment) also : the binding power of such an agreement or indication held that the amendment did not unconstitutionally impair the obligations of contracts — Davis v. American Family Mut. Ins. Co., 521 N.W.2d 366 (1994)

2 : a debt security (as a corporate or government bond)

— collateralized debt obligation

: a security backed by a pool of diversified securities that usually do not include mortgages

— collateralized loan obligation

: a security backed by a pool of commercial loans

— collateralized mortgage obligation

: a bond collateralized by a pool of mortgage obligations or pass-through securities and paid according to the maturity and amortization schedule of its class and not directly from the underlying obligations

— called also CMO

3 : what one is obligated to do, satisfy, or fulfill: as

a : a commitment to pay a particular amount of money does not create a debt, liability, or other obligation, legal or moral — State v. Florida Dev. Fin. Corp., 650 So. 2d 14 (1995) also : an amount owed in such a commitment

b : a duty arising from law, contract, or morality had a legal obligation as an employer a contractual obligation

4 in the civil law of Louisiana : a relationship that binds one party to a performance (as a payment or transfer) or nonperformance for another party — see also contract, offense, quasi-offense

Note: An obligation under civil law may arise by operation of law, naturally, or by contract or other declaration of will. The elements of an obligation are: the parties, an object, the relationship by virtue of which one party is bound to perform for the other's benefit, and, in the case of conventional obligations, a cause.

— conditional obligation

: an obligation that is dependent on an uncertain event

— conventional obligation

: an obligation taking the form of a contract

— heritable obligation

: an obligation that may be enforced by the successor of the obligee or against the successor of the obligor

— joint obligation

1 : an obligation binding different obligors to a performance for one obligee

2 : an obligation binding one obligor to a performance for different obligees

Note: In civil law, one of two or more obligors in a joint obligation is only liable for his or her portion of the performance.

— natural obligation

: an obligation arising from moral duty that is implied but not enforceable by the law