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

Synonyms More Example Sentences 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 But after this tragedy, there's a clear obligation in Minnesota and elsewhere to examine existing safeguards and find ways to strengthen them. — Arkansas Online, "OPINION | COLUMNIST: A deadly reminder of health field risks," 14 Feb. 2021 But having taken that fateful step forward, the Democrats have an obligation to the nation and to brave House Republicans like Liz Cheney to do more than simply go through the motions. — Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, "Democrats Are Screwing Up Trump’s Impeachment Trial," 8 Feb. 2021 There should be no obligation for Dan Hurley, Geno Auriemma or others — all working in the most challenging environments of their careers — to do so. — courant.com, "Mike Anthony: UConn basketball season ticket holders have gifted nearly $2 million to university; fans shut out, but continue to chip in," 31 Dec. 2020 There still appears to be a sense of accountability, an obligation to team with these Cowboys. — David Moore, Dallas News, "With the NFC East title out of reach, what’s really at stake for the Cowboys in these final four games?," 9 Dec. 2020 Your relationship with Emily was a professional obligation. — Washington Post, "Miss Manners: Are T-shirts for job interviews the new normal?," 25 Nov. 2020 There will be a legal obligation to keep measures under ongoing review. — Jacqueline Poh, Bloomberg.com, "England Set for Tougher Virus Tiers When National Lockdown Ends," 21 Nov. 2020 In Islam, the funeral prayers, called janazah, are a communal obligation and typically draw large crowds to mosques. — Daniel Burke, CNN, "How Jews and Muslims are burying their coronavirus dead," 13 Nov. 2020 Even paying the bare minimum should be an obligation met with begrudging acquiescence — akin to registering your car at the DMV. — Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, "The Capital Letter: Week of September 28," 2 Oct. 2020

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

26 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Obligation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obligation. Accessed 5 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for obligation

obligation

noun

English Language Learners Definition of obligation

: something that you must do because of a law, rule, promise, etc.

: something that you must do because it is morally right

See the full definition for obligation in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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