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

The mandatory tests, first reported by Schools Week, would aim to check their progress two years into secondary school.

From BBC

Digital ID will be available to all UK citizens and legal residents, and mandatory in order to work.

From BBC

The Liberal Democrats, who played a central role in blocking the previous Labour government's ID cards, have said they "cannot support" a mandatory scheme.

From BBC

Following her experience, Molly set up Academics Against Assault, which is campaigning for education about consent to become mandatory at all UK universities.

From BBC

She added that mandatory health alerts would not prevent teenagers using social media or connecting with friends online, but would "ensure they go into the experience with their eyes open to the risks".

From BBC

Related Words

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