mandatory

[man-duh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]

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.

noun

plural

mandatories 

1. mandatary.

mandatory

/ 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

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• mandatorily adverb
• nonmandatory adjective
• unmandatory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mandatory¹

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

Example Sentences

Mr Leitch said many providers "adopted good practices" before but the guidance and the Steeper family's campaigning had "basically made this a mandatory obligation, and therefore everybody will sit up and take notice".

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The government has said it will not be mandatory but will be required to prove the right to work.

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A mandatory housing order - meaning poultry must be kept inside - came into effect in Wales on 13 November and applies to owners of more than 50 birds.

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The tribunal's impression was that both landlords' understanding of the licensing regime was limited and "they had no real understanding of the nature of mandatory licensing".

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Known as the mandatory reimbursement requirement it obliges banks to refund most victims of push payment fraud - when victims are tricked and manipulated into transferring money to criminals themselves.

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Related Words

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