obligatory

adjective

oblig·​a·​to·​ry ə-ˈbli-gə-ˌtȯr-ē 

ä-,

ˈä-bli-gə- 

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

obligatorily

ə-ˌbli-gə-ˈtȯr-ə-lē 

ä-

ˌä-bli-gə- 

adverb

Synonyms

• compulsory
• forced
• imperative
• incumbent
• involuntary
• mandatory
• necessary
• nonelective
• peremptory
• required

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

Does an obligatory, and legally necessary credit of Andy Ngo, for the use of seconds of footage that shows where America’s conflict resides mean Garland supports him? —Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024

Some band comebacks feel obligatory, or financially motivated. —Brad Sanders, SPIN, 10 Apr. 2024

Traina consistently donates to mosques during Ramadan in what constitutes sadaqa, a concept in Islam of voluntarily giving charity, a slight variation from the more obligatory zakat. —Monica Haider, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024

Once the first of five obligatory prayers of the day, Fajr, begins at dawn, so does their fasting. —The Enquirer, 13 Mar. 2024

Limited access to water means others cannot make the obligatory ablution before prayer. —Sana Noor Haq, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024

Winners often acknowledge their fellow nominees with a few obligatory words. —Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024

After the five obligatory daily prayers, an optional prayer called Taraweeh is performed at night, meant as a chance to strengthen faith, connect to God, and seek forgiveness. —The Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2024

The suit’s outcome, however, could influence obligatory implicit-bias training for all licensed professionals. —Ronnie Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024

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

Kids Definition

obligatory

adjective

oblig·​a·​to·​ry ə-ˈblig-ə-ˌtōr-ē 

-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-

: obligate sense 1

obligatorily

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

adverb