compulsory
[kuh m-puhl-suh-ree]
- required; mandatory; obligatory: compulsory education.
- using compulsion; compelling; constraining: compulsory measures to control rioting.
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- something, as an athletic feat, that must be performed or completed as part of a contest or competition: The ice skater received a higher score on the compulsories than on her freestyle performance.
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Origin of compulsory
1510–20; < Medieval Latin compulsōrius, equivalent to Latin compul-, variant stem of compellere (see compel) + -sōrius, for -tōrius -tory1; cf. compulsive
Antonyms
1, 2. voluntary.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for compulsory
Contemporary Examples
They had three years together before Ziad left to do his compulsory military service, leaving on her birthday, April 4, 2001.
It is compulsory to note in every Kansas story that “the race may decide who controls the Senate.”
Compulsory dues translate into many tens of millions of dollars in political contributions to Democrats.
Education, while highly regarded here, is only compulsory through middle school.
Crop insurance does not cover losses of livestock, but it is compulsory for most farmers.
Midwest Drought Forces South Dakota Farmers and Ranchers to Abandon Crops and Thin HerdsBarbie Latza Nadeau
August 5, 2012
Historical Examples
By it a national and compulsory system of education was established for the first time.
The Grand Old ManRichard B. Cook
A child has a right to finality as regards its compulsory lessons.
A Treatise on Parents and ChildrenGeorge Bernard Shaw
No; your pride had placed them beyond your compulsory power.
The Works of Whittier, Volume VI (of VII)John Greenleaf Whittier
What advantage do we offer to the former for their compulsory thrift?
FreelandTheodor Hertzka
He missed his compulsory morning shower, a miss which did not distress him greatly.
The PortygeeJoseph Crosby Lincoln
compulsory
- required by regulations or laws; obligatorycompulsory education
- involving or employing compulsion; compelling; necessary; essential
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for compulsory
adj.
1580s, from Medieval Latin compulsorius, from Latin compulsus, past participle of compellere (see compel).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper