obligation - Dictionary definition and pronunciation - Yahoo! Education

Definition of obligation

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ob·li·ga·tion  audio  (bl-gshn) KEY 

NOUN:
  1. The act of binding oneself by a social, legal, or moral tie.
    1. A social, legal, or moral requirement, such as a duty, contract, or promise that compels one to follow or avoid a particular course of action.
    2. A course of action imposed by society, law, or conscience by which one is bound or restricted.
  3. The constraining power of a promise, contract, law, or sense of duty.
  4. Law
    1. A legal agreement stipulating a specified payment or action, especially if the agreement also specifies a penalty for failure to comply.
    2. The document containing the terms of such an agreement.
    1. Something owed as payment or in return for a special service or favor.
    2. The service or favor for which one is indebted to another.
  6. The state, fact, or feeling of being indebted to another for a special service or favor received.


OTHER FORMS:
obli·gation·al(Adjective)


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