noun

obligation

ahb-lih-GAY-shun/ˌɑːblɪˈɡeɪʃn/

Something a person is required or committed to do.

She fulfills her obligation to her elderly relative by bringing meals on time.

An adult reliably cares for an elderly relative by bringing a meal at the agreed time, sense of duty and responsibility, no text.

Etymology

obLatinto

+ligatLatinto bind

+ionLatinaction or result

Binding became a way to describe the force of promises, law, or duty. Obligation first named a binding pledge or commitment, then the duty that someone was bound to fulfill.

In context

CrashCourse6:16

How could I incur an obligation to help you, just because I’m better off than you are? Sure, it might be nice if I helped, but it’s certainly not a duty, and no one should compel me to do it.

What Is Justice?: Crash Course Philosophy #40

More examples

The lease spells out the landlord's obligations.
You are under no obligation to buy anything.
Family obligations keep him busy on weekends.

Forms

obligation · obligations

obligatory adjective — Required by a rule or duty.

obligate verb — To bind someone to a duty.

Similar words

duty: Emphasizes what a role, rule, or moral standard requires.
responsibility: Emphasizes being accountable for a task, person, or outcome.
commitment: Emphasizes a promise or undertaking someone has agreed to.