English Reference
noun

mandatory

n.
US /ˈmændəˌtɔɹi/ UK /mˈændətəɹˌi/ manda·to·ry UK spelling mandatories

  1. 01 C2 Proficiency Technical Sport

    a specific line or object that a player must throw their disc past in the game of disc golf.

    a designated object or line that a disc must pass on a specific side to be considered a legal throw.

    Simple

    The player missed the mandatory on the left and had to take a penalty stroke.

    In context

    The course designer placed a mandatory on the large oak tree to prevent players from throwing over the adjacent walking path for safety reasons.

    mando

Is taking parental leave mandatory if you're self-employed in Spain?

The Local· 14 Aug 2026

Helmet use is not mandatory in the UK, unlike some other countries.

BBC News· 11 Aug 2026

From Late Latin mandatorius (“of or belonging to a mandator”), from mandātor (“one who commands”), equivalent to mandate + -ory; see mandate.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin la-lat mandatorius
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Common
Updated