Mandatory: meaning, definitions and examples

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mandatory

[ˈmændəˌtɔːri ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

required by law

Mandatory means required by law or rules, or else it must be done. Something that is mandatory is compulsory and must be done. It is not optional.

Synonyms

compulsory, obligatory, required.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
mandatory	Usually used in legal, official, or formal contexts where something must be done by law or rule. It often implies a strict requirement. Wearing seat belts is mandatory in most countries Passing the safety test is mandatory for all employees
compulsory	Often used in educational or governmental settings, indicating that something must be done because of a law or rule. Math is a compulsory subject in most schools It is compulsory to attend the meeting
obligatory	Used to express that something is necessary, either due to moral duty, custom, or rule. It often has a formal tone. In some cultures, giving gifts is obligatory during certain celebrations It is obligatory for members to vote
required	Generally used to indicate that something is needed or necessary for a specific purpose. It can be formal or informal. This form is required to complete the application Experience in coding is required for the job

Examples of usage

Attendance at the meeting is mandatory for all employees.
Wearing a helmet is mandatory when riding a bike in this city.
The completion of the safety training course is mandatory for all new employees.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

course of action

Mandatory can also refer to a course of action that is prescribed by an authority or set of rules. It is something that must be done as a matter of urgency or necessity.

Synonyms

compulsory, obligatory, required.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
mandatory	Used in official or legal situations where something must be done because of a rule or law. Wearing seatbelts is mandatory in all vehicles. It's mandatory to attend the safety briefing before starting the job.
compulsory	Often used in educational or formal settings to describe something that must be done because it's part of a rule or regulation. Math is a compulsory subject in high school. Attendance at the meeting is compulsory for all team members.
obligatory	Used in both formal and casual contexts to describe something that one must do because it is a requirement or because social or moral rules dictate it. It is obligatory to fill out this form before the appointment. Wearing a suit to the wedding seemed obligatory.
required	Generally used in both formal and informal contexts to describe something that is necessary or needed for a particular purpose. A visa is required for travel to that country. All new employees are required to complete the training program.

Examples of usage

The evacuation was declared mandatory due to the approaching hurricane.
Following the instructions given by the captain is mandatory in case of emergency.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The origin of 'mandatory' comes from the Latin word 'mandatum,' meaning 'command' or 'order.'
It was first recorded in English in the early 1800s to describe laws or rules that must be followed.
The prefix 'man-' in 'mandate' emphasizes the idea of giving an order or direction.

Law

In legal contexts, a 'mandatory' requirement is one that is enforced and carries penalties for non-compliance.
Certain laws can be mandatory, meaning they require people to act in a specific way, like wearing seat belts in cars.
Judges often interpret mandatory rules strictly to ensure clarity in legal proceedings.

Education

In school settings, attendance can be mandatory, meaning students must be present to not face consequences.
Many educational programs have mandatory courses that ensure all students gain necessary knowledge.
Mandatory assessments in schools help ensure all students are learning the same essential material.

Workplace

Employers may have mandatory training sessions to comply with safety regulations or company policies.
In many workplaces, certain practices, such as reporting unsafe conditions, are made mandatory to protect employees.
Understanding mandatory overtime laws helps employees know when they must work beyond their regular hours.

Pop Culture

In the realm of movies, sometimes a mandatory viewing is referred to as a film that everyone must see, such as classics or award-winning projects.
The term 'mandatory' is often used humorously in social media to describe trends people feel obliged to follow, like viral challenges.
In popular music, certain songs are viewed as mandatory for parties, meaning they have to be played for the event to be considered fun.

Translations

Translations of the word "mandatory" in other languages:

🇵🇹 obrigatório

🇮🇳 अनिवार्य (Anivārya)

🇩🇪 verpflichtend

🇮🇩 wajib

🇺🇦 обов'язковий

🇵🇱 obowiązkowy

🇯🇵 必須 (Hissu)

🇫🇷 obligatoire

🇪🇸 obligatorio

🇹🇷 zorunlu

🇰🇷 필수적인 (Pilsujŏgin)

🇸🇦 إلزامي (Ilzami)

🇨🇿 povinný

🇸🇰 povinný

🇨🇳 强制性的 (Qiángzhì xìng de)

🇸🇮 obvezen

🇮🇸 skyldubundinn

🇰🇿 міндетті

🇬🇪 სავალდებულო (savaldebulo)

🇦🇿 məcburi

🇲🇽 obligatorio

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,476 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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5473 guys
5474 notified
5475 drag
5476 mandatory
5477 respected
5478 risen
5479 resonance
...