OBLIGATION

duty, responsibility, obligation

(noun) the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force; “we must instill a sense of duty in our children”; “every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty”- John D.Rockefeller Jr

obligation

(noun) a legal agreement specifying a payment or action and the penalty for failure to comply

obligation, indebtedness

(noun) a personal relation in which one is indebted for a service or favor

obligation

(noun) the state of being obligated to do or pay something; “he is under an obligation to finish the job”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

---

Etymology

Noun

obligation (countable and uncountable, 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.

(legal) A legal agreement stipulating a specified action or forbearance by a party to the agreement; the document containing such agreement.

Usage notes

• Adjectives often used with "obligation": moral, legal, social, contractual, political, mutual, military, perpetual, etc.

Synonyms

• (the act of binding oneself by a social, legal, or moral tie to someone): commitment

• (requirement, duty, contract or promise): duty

Antonyms

• (requirement, duty, contract or promise): right

Source: Wiktionary

---

Ob"li*ga"tion, n. Etym: [F. obligation. L. obligatio. See Oblige.]

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 anouther, 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; as, to place others under obligations to one.

5. (Law)

Definition: 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. Days of obligation. See under Day.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

---