# compulsory

/kəmˈpəɫsɝi/ (US) · /kəmpˈʌlsəɹˌi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/compulsory
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. required by rules

adjective · CEFR B2

describes something you must do because it is a law or a rule.

For teachers: required by law or a firm rule; obligatory. Often used in contexts of education, military service, or safety regulations.

- In many countries, it is compulsory to wear a seatbelt while driving.
- The government introduced compulsory primary education in the late nineteenth century to ensure a basic level of literacy across the population.

Usage: Commonly followed by 'for' to indicate who must comply, or 'to' followed by an infinitive verb.

### 2. required elements in a sport

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a specific move or exercise that every person in a competition must perform.

For teachers: a required move, routine, or exercise in a competition, particularly in sports like figure skating or gymnastics.

- The skater performed the compulsories perfectly but struggled during the creative part of the program.
- Although she excelled in the freestyle segment, her lower scores in the technical compulsories kept her off the podium.

Usage: Usually used in the plural form 'compulsories' when referring to the set of required exercises.

## Examples

- Math is a compulsory subject in high school.
- The government made it compulsory for all citizens to carry identification when traveling between provinces.
- While the seminar is technically optional, the department head strongly suggested that attendance is effectively compulsory for those seeking a promotion this year.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.