Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

obligation

 noun
     
ob‧li‧ga‧tion W3 [uncountable and countable]
a moral or legal duty to do somethingCOLLOCATIONS COLLOCATIONS
have 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 obligation contractual obligation (=something that a contract says you must do) a sense of obligation
obligation 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.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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