obligatory

adjective oblig·a·to·ry \ ə-ˈbli-gə-ˌtȯr-ē , ä- also ˈä-bli-gə- \

Updated on: 16 May 2018

Definition of obligatory

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 1

an obligatory biped

—

obligatorily

play \ə-ˌbli-gə-ˈtȯr-ə-lē, ä- also ˌä-bli-gə-\ adverb

See obligatory defined for English-language learners

See obligatory defined for kids

Examples of obligatory in a Sentence

The training is obligatory for all personnel.
This action movie includes the obligatory chase scenes.

Recent Examples of obligatory from the Web

That is considered obligatory among most practitioners of kink.

— david crary, Fox News, "'Kink community' angry at New York attorney general comments," 8 May 2018
All this romping was only punctuated—rather than overly suffused with—the show’s obligatory lectures about consciousness.

— spencer kornhaber, The Atlantic, "Westworld: Ride the Tiger," 6 May 2018
Heti’s important book is a positive assertion that motherhood is not an obligatory sacrifice, a glorified institution, the cornerstone of a woman’s being.

— polly rosenwaike, San Francisco Chronicle, "‘Motherhood,’ by Sheila Heti," 4 May 2018
The obligatory New Orleans cliche: For most of the night, the only flashes of New Orleans came in the form of local scenery between scenes -- a streetcar here, a French Quarter street scene there.

— mike scott, NOLA.com, "Former Saints player Jeff Charleston airs brain disease concerns on 'Southern Charm New Orleans'," 30 Apr. 2018
In South Korea, two years of military service is obligatory for male citizens ages 18 to 35—even for K-pop superstars.

— Time, "K-Pop Star G-Dragon of Big Bang Has Started Military Service. Now His Unit Is in Chaos," 13 Mar. 2018
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll told Shaquem during the obligatory phone call that ended the suspense.

— jarrett bell, USA TODAY, "One-handed NFL prospect Shaquem Griffin embraces the opportunity to prove doubters wrong -- again," 28 Apr. 2018
This is where the obligatory mention of the devil being in the details comes in.

— Washington Post, "AP Analysis: Korea summit puts nuclear ball in Trump’s court," 28 Apr. 2018
The deconstructed wedding cake — calling to mind a piece of wedding cake after the obligatory bride-groom smooshing bit — offers pieces of angel-food cake, vanilla frosting (smeared on the plate) and huckleberry jam.

— phil vettel, chicagotribune.com, "Tied House review: Chef Debbie Gold shines in return to Chicago's dining scene," 27 Apr. 2018

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

First Known Use of obligatory

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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obligatory Synonyms

OBLIGATORY Defined for English Language Learners

obligatory

adjective

Definition of obligatory for English Language Learners

: required by a law or rule
: always or often included as a familiar and expected part of something

Medical Dictionary

obligatory

adjective oblig·a·to·ry \ ə-ˈblig-ə-ˌtōr-ē, ä-, -ˌtȯr- also ˈäb-li-gə- \

medical Definition of obligatory

: obligate 1

—

obligatorily

\ə-ˌblig-ə-ˈtōr-ə-lē, ä-, -ˈtȯr- also ˌäb-li-gə-\ adverb

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obligatory

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obligatorily

Examples of obligatory in a Sentence

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obligatory Synonyms

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OBLIGATORY Defined for English Language Learners

obligatory

Definition of obligatory for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

obligatory

medical Definition of obligatory

obligatorily

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