obligation
/ˌɑːbləˈgeɪʃən/
noun
plural
obligations
obligation
/ˌɑːbləˈgeɪʃən/
noun
Britannica Dictionary definition of OBLIGATION
1
:
something that you must do because of a law, rule, promise, etc.
[count]
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The firm must fulfill its obligations under the contract. = The firm must fulfill its contractual obligations.
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legal/financial/constitutional obligations
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Both landlord and tenant should know their rights and obligations. [=responsibilities]
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[noncount]
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You can try the machine for free without obligation. [=without being required to buy it or to do anything else]
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You are not under any obligation to stay. [=you are not required to stay]
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You're under no (legal) obligation to return the money. [=there is no law that requires you to return the money; you do not have to return the money]
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2
:
something that you must do because it is morally right
[count]
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family/social obligations
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She believes that all people have a moral obligation to defend human rights.
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He argues that people in a community have certain obligations to each other.
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She failed to fulfill her obligations as a parent.
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[noncount]
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We visited them out of a sense of obligation. [=a feeling that it was the right thing to do]
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