- obligation
- ob|li|ga|tionW3 [ˌɔblıˈgeıʃən US ˌa:b-] n [U and C]a moral or legal duty to do somethingobligation to▪ America's obligation to its allies▪ Employers have an obligation to treat all employees equally.▪ Parents are under a legal obligation to educate their children.▪ You are under no obligation to buy any more books.▪ Greater resources are needed to meet these obligations .▪ the rights and obligations imposed on them by treaties▪ The government must pay for health care for war veterans - it is an obligation we owe to them.▪ a moral obligation to help the poor▪ He stayed with the team out of a sense of obligation .▬▬▬▬▬▬▬COLLOCATES for sense 1have an obligation (to do something)be under an obligation (to do something) (=have an obligation)be under no obligation (to do something)meet/fulfil an obligation (=do something that is your duty)honour an obligation formal (=meet an obligation)impose an obligation formal (=make someone have an obligation)owe somebody an obligation formal (=feel that you must do something for someone)moral/legal/social obligationcontractual obligation (=something that a contract says you must do)a sense of obligation▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.