Origin: 1250–1300; Middle English obligacioun < Old French obligation < Latin obligātiōn- (stem of obligātiō) a binding, equivalent to obligāt(us) bound (see obligate) + -iōn--ion
Related forms
pre·ob·li·ga·tion, noun
re·ob·li·ga·tion, noun
su·per·ob·li·ga·tion, noun
Synonyms 1. responsibility. See duty.5. contract, covenant.
c.1300, from O.Fr. obligation (1235), from L. obligationem (nom. obligatio) "an engaging or pledging," lit. "a binding" (but rarely used in this sense), noun of action from obligare (see oblige). The notion is of binding with promises or by law or duty.