- [uncountable] the state of being forced to do something because it is your duty, or because of a law, etc.
- obligation to do something You are under no obligation to buy anything.
- under any/no obligation She did not feel under any obligation to tell him the truth.
- I don't want people coming to see me out of a sense of obligation.
- without obligation We will send you an estimate for the work without obligation (= you do not have to accept it).
Extra ExamplesTopics Permission and obligationb2- I am under no obligation to tell you my name.
- Our mortgage advice is given free and without obligation.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- contractual
- legal
- statutory
- …
- carry out
- discharge
- fulfil/fulfill
- …
- arise from something
- under an obligation
- without obligation
- obligation of
- …
- [countable] something which you must do because you have promised, because of a law, etc. synonym commitment
- legal/professional/financial obligations
- They reminded him of his contractual obligations.
- The country has promised to comply with its international obligations.
- obligation to do something We have a moral obligation to protect the environment.
- I have an obligation under law to protect their confidentiality.
- obligation on somebody I felt that there was a moral obligation on me to tell the story.
- We want to fulfil our obligation to farmers and see they get a fair price.
- The company did not have enough money to meet its obligations.
- obligation to/toward somebody We have an obligation to our consumers.
Extra ExamplesTopics Permission and obligationb2- I can't travel next month because of family obligations.
- The builders failed to meet their contractual obligations.
- obligations arising from your contract of employment
- the obligations of citizenship
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- contractual
- legal
- statutory
- …
- carry out
- discharge
- fulfil/fulfill
- …
- arise from something
- under an obligation
- without obligation
- obligation of
- …
Word OriginMiddle English (in the sense ‘formal promise’): via Old French from Latin obligatio(n-), from the verb obligare, from ob- ‘towards’ + ligare ‘to bind’.
Express Yourself Asking about obligationAsking about obligationWhen you are unsure about what is expected of you in a situation, you can ask about obligations:
See obligation in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee obligation in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English- What time do we have to be home?
- Are we supposed to show our ID cards?
- Is it necessary to apply for a visa?
- Is there a legal obligation to wear a bike helmet here?
Check pronunciation:
obligation