OBLIGATION • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Obligation

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/ˌɑbləgˈeɪʃən/ Listen

noun

Obligation n.

1.

The act of obligating.

2.

That which obligates or constrains; the binding power of a promise, contract, oath, or vow, or of law; that which constitutes legal or moral duty. "A tender conscience is a stronger obligation than a proson."

3.

Any act by which a person becomes bound to do something to or for another, or to forbear something; external duties imposed by law, promise, or contract, by the relations of society, or by courtesy, kindness, etc. "Every man has obligations which belong to his station. Duties extend beyond obligation, and direct the affections, desires, and intentions, as well as the actions."

4.

The state of being obligated or bound; the state of being indebted for an act of favor or kindness; often used with under to indicate being in that state; as, to place others under obligations to one.

5.

(Law) A bond with a condition annexed, and a penalty for nonfulfillment. In a larger sense, it is an acknowledgment of a duty to pay a certain sum or do a certain things.

Days of obligation. See under Day.

under obligation, under an obligation. in a state of obligation (4).

See images of 'Obligation'

Etymology of 'Obligation'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Obligation" Quotes from Famous Books

... then, after a pause, he said, aloud and ungraciously enough, "All right. I—I'm very much obliged, of course." And he proceeded to follow them, thinking in his heart, "But it's bad form, all the same, to force an obligation ...

— The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 4 (of 25) • Robert Louis Stevenson

... from every obligation, but at the same time she had declared that her whole life would be consecrated to his memory. Richard felt that the release was just as nominal in his own case. He knew that he never could love any woman but ...

— The Hallam Succession • Amelia Edith Barr

... the privileges of a wife to upset a man's things, without her legal obligation to put them straight again. [Glances at GERTRUDE.] I wish Bob's sister had the same privileges in my room that ...

— Shenandoah - Representative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911 • Bronson Howard

... understand you to advocate, is this: that provided your employment be not contrary to the laws of the state, you are under no obligation to inquire particularly as to its influence upon the public happiness after the products of your labor get out of your own hands. If this be a correct principle for your guidance, it is certainly a correct one for others. Let us apply it ...

— Select Temperance Tracts • American Tract Society

... to do Colonel Geraldine, his Master of the Horse, one of those services, so common in my profession, which are never forgotten upon either side. I have no need to explain to you the nature of the obligation under which he was laid; suffice it to say that I knew him ready to serve me in any practicable manner. Now, it was necessary for you to gain London with your trunk unopened. To this the Custom House seemed ...

— The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 4 (of 25) • Robert Louis Stevenson

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