definitions

mandatory

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

authoritatively ordered; obligatory; compulsory: It is mandatory that all students take two years of math.
pertaining to, of the nature of, or containing a command.
Law. permitting no option; not to be disregarded or modified: a mandatory clause.
having received a mandate, as a nation.

noun, plural man·da·to·ries.

mandatary.

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Nearby words

mandarin orange, mandarinate, mandatary, mandate, mandator, mandatory, mande, mandean, mandel, mandela, mandela, nelson

Origin of mandatory

From the Late Latin word mandātōrius, dating back to 1655–65. See mandate, -tory1

SYNONYMS FOR mandatory

1 requisite, exigent.

Related forms

man·da·to·ri·ly, adverbnon·man·da·to·ry, adjective, noun, plural non·man·da·to·ries.un·man·da·to·ry, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for mandatorily

mandatory

/ (ˈmændətərɪ, -trɪ) /

adjective

having the nature or powers of a mandate
obligatory; compulsory
(of a state) having received a mandate over some territory

noun plural -ries

Also called: mandatary a person or state holding a mandate

Derived Forms

mandatorily, adverb
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