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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | fullfyllan |
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ful‧fil S3 W3 British English ; fulfill American English
past tense and past participle fulfilled, present participle fulfilling [transitive]
past tense and past participle fulfilled, present participle fulfilling [transitive]1 if you fulfil a hope, wish, or aim, you achieve the thing that you hoped for, wished for etc :
fulfil an aim/a goal/an objective 
an analysis of how different countries are attempting to fulfill their political goals
an analysis of how different countries are attempting to fulfill their political goals2 to do or provide what is necessary or needed
fulfil a role/duty/function etc A good police officer is not fulfilling his role if he neglects this vital aspect.
A good police officer is not fulfilling his role if he neglects this vital aspect. fulfil a requirement/condition/obligation etc Britain was accused of failing to fulfil its obligations under the EU Treaty. Much of the electrical equipment failed to fulfill safety requirements.
Britain was accused of failing to fulfil its obligations under the EU Treaty.Much of the electrical equipment failed to fulfill safety requirements.3 to do what you said you would do [= keep; ≠ break]: I'd like to see him fulfil his promise to reorganize the army.
fulfil a promise/pledge etc
formalI'd like to see him fulfil his promise to reorganize the army.4 to be as successful as you possibly can be : We want to make sure that all children are able to fulfil their potential.
fulfil your potential/promise
We want to make sure that all children are able to fulfil their potential.5 if your work fulfils you, it makes you feel satisfied because you are using all your skills, qualities etc
6 to feel satisfied because you are using all your skills, qualities etc : She succeeded in fulfilling herself both as an actress and as a mother.
fulfil yourself
She succeeded in fulfilling herself both as an actress and as a mother.
