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

He may still be able to fit in a voluntary defence with Wilder if an opponent is agreed quickly, with several mandatory challengers with other organisations already tied up.

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The force said a mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct by its professional standards department.

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But in November 2024 they reverted back to the original style, which had not had a major redesign since becoming mandatory in 1997.

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Tyre supplier Pirelli, fearing punctures, has imposed a mandatory maximum of 25 laps usage on any set of tyres, which makes the race a two pit-stop strategy at least.

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Under a ruling established at the time of Israel's creation in 1948, men who devote themselves full-time to studying sacred Jewish texts are given a de facto pass from mandatory military service.

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Related Words

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