adjective

obligatory

uh-BLIG-uh-tor-ee/əˈblɪɡətɔːri/

Required or expected by a rule, duty, or custom.

Hard hats are obligatory before workers enter the construction area.

Workers must put on hard hats before entering a construction area, one supervisor indicates required protective equipment, no written sign.

Etymology

obLatinto

+ligatLatinto bind

+oryLatinhaving the function of

Something obligatory is figuratively binding: it ties a person to a required action. The physical idea of binding thus expresses the compelling force of law, conscience, or duty.

In context

TVUP27:21

it became obligatory it was like whether you like it or not you have to give us the food quota that we specified

FN1 | Kainsaysayan Part 1b: Exploring Philippine Food and Culinary History (Spanish Occupation)

More examples

The invitation includes the obligatory request to reply.
Wearing a badge is obligatory inside the laboratory.
She makes the obligatory introductions before the meeting begins.

Forms

obligatory

Similar words

mandatory: Emphasizes an explicit rule rather than social expectation.
compulsory: Compulsory is imposed by authority; obligatory can also arise from custom or social expectation.