mandatory

American  

[man-duh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ˈmæn dəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

adjective

1. authoritatively ordered; obligatory; compulsory.

   It is mandatory that all students take two years of math.

   Synonyms:

   exigent, requisite

2. pertaining to, of the nature of, or containing a command.

3. Law. permitting no option; not to be disregarded or modified.

   a mandatory clause.

4. having received a mandate, as a nation.

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noun

plural

mandatories

1. mandatary.

mandatory British  

/ ˈmændətərɪ, -trɪ /

adjective

1. having the nature or powers of a mandate

2. obligatory; compulsory

3. (of a state) having received a mandate over some territory

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noun

1. Also called: mandatary.  a person or state holding a mandate

Other Word Forms

• mandatorily adverb
• nonmandatory adjective
• unmandatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of mandatory

From the Late Latin word mandātōrius, dating back to 1655–65. See mandate, -tory ¹

Example Sentences

Workers contend that the high vacancy rate leads to more on-the-job assaults, mandatory overtime and staff turnover.

From Los Angeles Times

And background checks and a mandatory cooling-off period for gun sales were introduced.

From BBC

When Letty and Marcia reach their mandatory retirement age, the four must face the prospect of an empty future, and grow only stranger in isolation.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even deals that aren’t banned will trigger mandatory government notification, requiring U.S. companies to report transactions involving sensitive Chinese technologies.

From The Wall Street Journal

Officials are not re-introducing mandatory military service but have warned they may do so if they do not get enough people signing up voluntarily.

From Barron's

Related Words

• binding
• compulsory
• de rigueur
• essential
• forced
• imperative
• indispensable
• involuntary
• obligatory