obligatory

adjective

oblig·​a·​to·​ry ə-ˈbli-gə-ˌtȯr-ē 

ä-,

ˈä-bli-gə- 

1

: binding in law or conscience

The ordinance made it obligatory that homeowners clear the snow from the sidewalks.

2

: relating to or enforcing an obligation

a writ obligatory

3

: mandatory, required

obligatory military service

also : so commonplace as to be a convention, fashion, or cliché

the obligatory death scene in opera

The thriller included the obligatory chase scene.

4

: obligate sense 1

an obligatory biped

obligatorily

ə-ˌbli-gə-ˈtȯr-ə-lē 

ä-

ˌä-bli-gə- 

adverb

Synonyms

• compulsory
• forced
• imperative
• incumbent
• involuntary
• mandatory
• necessary
• nonelective
• peremptory
• required

Examples of obligatory in a Sentence

The training is obligatory for all personnel.

This action movie includes the obligatory chase scenes.

Recent Examples on the Web

The carry-on’s standout feature is the fold-out cup holder, a godsend for the obligatory airside Starbucks stop before an early departure. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 12 Dec. 2024

From the East Cape, continue south to Los Cabos, making obligatory culinary stops at picturesque Flora Farms and the sleek Manta by Enrique Olvera at The Cape, A Thompson Hotel. —Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Dec. 2024

Sweeney accessorized with white boots and an obligatory pair of black sunglasses, though her pièce de résistance came in the form of Celine’s $940 Triomphe cashmere and sherpa bucket hat. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 15 Dec. 2024

Tickets were priced from £10 to £25 and evening dress was obligatory (for Elton this meant blue track trousers and a red jacket embroidered with white piano keys). —Mick Brown, Rolling Stone, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English obligatorie, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French obligatorie, obligatoire, borrowed from Latin obligātōrius, from obligāre "to tie up, restrain by tying, place under a legal or moral constraint" + -tōrius, deverbal adjective suffix, originally forming derivatives from agent nouns ending in -tōr-, -tor — more at oblige

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

obligatory

adjective

oblig·​a·​to·​ry ə-ˈblig-ə-ˌtōr-ē 

-ˌtȯr-,

 also  ˈäb-li-gə-

: not to be left out, forgotten, or ignored : being required

Medical Definition

obligatory

adjective

oblig·​a·​to·​ry

ə-ˈblig-ə-ˌtōr-ē, ä-, -ˌtȯr- also ˈäb-li-gə-

: obligate sense 1

obligatorily

ə-ˌblig-ə-ˈtōr-ə-lē, ä-, -ˈtȯr- also ˌäb-li-gə-

adverb