obligatory Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective morally or legally constraining or binding
    • attendance is obligatory
    • an obligatory contribution
  2. adjective satellite required by obligation or compulsion or convention
    • he made all the obligatory apologies

WordNet

Ob"li*ga*to*ry adjective
Etymology
L. obligatorius: cf.F. obligatoire.
Definitions
  1. Binding in law or conscience; imposing duty or obligation; requiring performance or forbearance of some act; -- often followed by on or upon; as, obedience is obligatory on a soldier.
    As long as the law is obligatory, so long our obedience is due. Jer. Taylor.

Webster 1913