# obligation

/ˌɑbɫəˈɡeɪʃən/ (US) · /ˌɒblɪɡˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/obligation
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a duty or requirement

noun · CEFR B2

something you must do because it is your duty or because of a law.

For teachers: a social, legal, or moral requirement that compels an individual to follow a particular course of action.

- The company has a legal obligation to ensure the safety of its workers.
- Citizens have a moral obligation to assist those in need, even when no specific law mandates such intervention.

Usage: Often used with the verbs 'meet', 'fulfill', or 'honour'.

### 2. a legal contract or debt

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

a formal agreement or a debt that you are required to pay.

For teachers: a formal agreement stipulating a specified action or payment; often refers to the document or the financial debt itself.

- The bank reviewed the borrower's financial obligations before approving the new loan.
- The defendant failed to meet his contractual obligations, leading to a significant lawsuit regarding the unpaid debts.

Usage: In financial contexts, it frequently refers to bonds or fixed-income securities.

### 3. feeling of gratitude

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

a feeling that you should do something for someone because they helped you.

For teachers: a state of being indebted to someone for a favour or service rendered.

- He felt a sense of obligation toward the mentor who helped him start his career.
- Having received such generous support during her illness, she felt a profound sense of obligation to give back to the community clinic.

Teaching tip: This sense is often expressed through the phrase 'under an obligation' or 'sense of obligation'.

## Examples

- You have a legal obligation to pay your taxes.
- The contract creates a clear financial obligation for the tenant to pay the rent on the first of every month.
- While the legal obligation was satisfied by the settlement, the CEO felt a moral obligation to issue a public apology to the affected families.

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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.