obligatory

adjective

oblig·​a·​to·​ry ə-ˈbli-gə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce obligatory (audio)
ä-,
ˈä-bli-gə- How to pronounce obligatory (audio)
1
: binding in law or conscience
The ordinance made it obligatory that homeowners clear the snow from the sidewalks.
2
: relating to or enforcing an obligation
a writ obligatory
3
: mandatory, required
obligatory military service
also : so commonplace as to be a convention, fashion, or cliché
the obligatory death scene in opera
The thriller included the obligatory chase scene.
4
: obligate sense 1
an obligatory biped

Examples of obligatory in a Sentence

The training is obligatory for all personnel. This action movie includes the obligatory chase scenes.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There is no mistaking that the Democrats are on thin ice with their knee-jerk and obligatory nods to local prerogative. Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025 Most of the story happens in the dark, although there is the obligatory daytime travelling shot of the filthy, crumbling streets of Detroit through a car window. Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2025 The goals that belong to you tend to bring energy and curiosity, while the ones inherited from others often feel heavy or obligatory. Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025 After ‘This Is the One’, the obligatory Premier League tune blares out as the players shake hands with opponents and officials. Andy Mitten, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for obligatory

Word History

Etymology

Middle English obligatorie, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French obligatorie, obligatoire, borrowed from Latin obligātōrius, from obligāre "to tie up, restrain by tying, place under a legal or moral constraint" + -tōrius, deverbal adjective suffix, originally forming derivatives from agent nouns ending in -tōr-, -tor — more at oblige

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of obligatory was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Obligatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obligatory. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

obligatory

adjective
oblig·​a·​to·​ry ə-ˈblig-ə-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce obligatory (audio)
-ˌtȯr-,
 also  ˈäb-li-gə-
: not to be left out, forgotten, or ignored : being required

Medical Definition

obligatory

adjective
oblig·​a·​to·​ry
ə-ˈblig-ə-ˌtōr-ē, ä-, -ˌtȯr- also ˈäb-li-gə-
obligatorily
ə-ˌblig-ə-ˈtōr-ə-lē, ä-, -ˈtȯr- also ˌäb-li-gə-
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on obligatory

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