Obligation: meaning, definitions and examples
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obligation
[ ˌɒblɪˈɡeɪʃən ]
legal
An act or course of action to which a person is morally or legally bound; a duty or commitment.
Synonyms
commitment, duty, responsibility
Examples of usage
- He has a legal obligation to pay his taxes on time.
- It is our obligation to help those in need.
social
Something that someone feels they have to do because of a law, rule, promise, etc.
Synonyms
compulsion, constraint, requirement
Examples of usage
- She felt an obligation to attend her friend's wedding.
- There is a social obligation to be polite to guests.
business
A promise, agreement, etc., that you make because you have to.
Synonyms
commitment, duty, responsibility
Examples of usage
- The contract includes certain obligations for both parties.
- They have financial obligations to meet.
Translations
Translations of the word "obligation" in other languages:
🇵🇹 obrigação
🇮🇳 कर्तव्य
🇩🇪 Verpflichtung
🇮🇩 kewajiban
🇺🇦 зобов'язання
🇵🇱 obowiązek
🇯🇵 義務
🇫🇷 obligation
🇪🇸 obligación
🇹🇷 yükümlülük
🇰🇷 의무
🇸🇦 التزام
🇨🇿 povinnost
🇸🇰 povinnosť
🇨🇳 义务
🇸🇮 obveznost
🇮🇸 skyldu
🇰🇿 міндеттеме
🇬🇪 ვალდებულება
🇦🇿 öhdəlik
🇲🇽 obligación
Word origin
The word 'obligation' comes from the Latin word 'obligatio', which means a binding or tying. The concept of obligation has been present in human societies since ancient times, where individuals were bound by moral or legal duties. Over the centuries, the notion of obligation has evolved to encompass various aspects of life, including legal, social, and business obligations.
See also: obligate, obligated, obligatory, obliged, obligee, obliging.