Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Obligation
1.
The act of obligating.
2.
That which obligates or constrains; the binding power of a promise, contract, oath, or vow, or of law; that which constitutes legal or moral duty.
A tender conscience is a stronger
obligation
than a proson. Fuller.
3.
Any act by which a person becomes bound to do something to or for another, or to forbear something; external duties imposed by law, promise, or contract, by the relations of society, or by courtesy, kindness, etc.
Every man has
obligations
which belong to his station. Duties extend beyond obligation
, and direct the affections, desires, and intentions, as well as the actions. Whewell.
4.
The state of being obligated or bound; the state of being indebted for an act of favor or kindness; – often used with under to indicate being in that state;
as, to place others under
. obligations
to one5.
(Law)
A bond with a condition annexed, and a penalty for nonfulfillment. In a larger sense, it is an acknowledgment of a duty to pay a certain sum or do a certain things.
Webster 1828 Edition
Obligation
OBLIGA'TION
,Noun.
1.
The binding power of a vow, promise, oath or contract, or of law, civil, political or moral, independent of a promise; that which constitutes legal or moral duty, and which renders a person liable to coercion and punishment for neglecting it. The laws and commands of God impose on us an obligation to love him supremely, and our neighbor as ourselves. Every citizen is under an obligation to obey the laws of the state. Moral obligation binds men without promise or contract.2.
The binding force of civility, kindness or gratitude, when the performance of a duty cannot be enforced by law. Favors conferred impose on men an obligation to make suitable returns.3.
Any act by which a person becomes bound to do something to or for another, or to forbear something.4.
In law, a bond with a condition annexed and a penalty for non-fulfillment.Definition 2024
Obligation
obligation
obligation
See also: Obligation
English
Noun
obligation (plural obligations)
- The act of binding oneself by a social, legal, or moral tie to someone.
- A social, legal, or moral requirement, duty, contract, or promise that compels someone to follow or avoid a particular course of action.
- A course of action imposed by society, law, or conscience by which someone is bound or restricted.
- (law) A legal agreement stipulating a specified payment or action; the document containing such agreement.
- X shall be entitled to subcontract its obligation to provide the Support Services. <<from an agreement>>
- 1668 December 19, James Dalrymple, “Mr. Alexander Seaton contra Menzies” in The Deciſions of the Lords of Council & Seſſion I (Edinburgh, 1683), page 575
- The Pupil after his Pupillarity, had granted a Diſcharge to one of the Co-tutors, which did extinguiſh the whole Debt of that Co-tutor, and conſequently of all the reſt, they being all correi debendi, lyable by one individual Obligation, which cannot be Diſcharged as to one, and ſtand as to all the reſt.
Usage notes
- Adjectives often used with "obligation": moral, legal, social, contractual, political, mutual, military, perpetual, etc.
Synonyms
- (requirement, duty, contract or promise): duty
Antonyms
- (requirement, duty, contract or promise): right
Related terms
Translations
act of binding oneself by a social, legal, or moral tie to someone
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social, legal, or moral requirement
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course of action imposed by society, law, or conscience
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legal agreement
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French
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin obligatio, from the verb obligō (“tie together”).
Noun
obligation f (plural obligations)