obligate

[ob-li-geyt, ob-li-git, -geyt]

verb (used with object)

obligated, obligating 

1. to bind or oblige morally or legally.

   to obligate oneself to purchase a building.

2. to pledge, commit, or bind (funds, property, etc.) to meet an obligation.

adjective

1. morally or legally bound; obliged; constrained.

2. necessary; essential.

3. Biology.,  restricted to a particular condition of life, as certain organisms that can survive only in the absence of oxygen (facultative ).

   obligate anaerobe.

obligate

/ ˈɒblɪˌɡeɪt /

verb

1. to compel, constrain, or oblige morally or legally

2. (in the US) to bind (property, funds, etc) as security

adjective

1. compelled, bound, or restricted

2. biology able to exist under only one set of environmental conditions Compare facultative

   an obligate parasite cannot live independently of its host

obligate

1. Capable of existing only in a particular environment or by assuming a particular role. An obligate aerobe, such as certain bacteria, can live only in the presence of oxygen. An obligate parasite cannot survive independently of its host.

2. Compare facultative

Other Word Forms

• obligable adjective
• obligator noun
• preobligate verb (used with object)
• reobligate verb (used with object)
• obligative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of obligate¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English obligat, from Latin obligātus (past participle of obligāre “to bind”), equivalent to ob- + ligātus; ob-, ligate

Word History and Origins

Origin of obligate¹

C16: from Latin obligāre to _oblige

Example Sentences

Former spouses who no longer want to be parents could also find themselves obligated to pay child support, Cahn said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Catholics that a Pew Research Center survey from earlier this year. found don’t attend weekly Mass, which we’re obligated to do.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Another major issue, raised by a coalition of developing nations, concerns the financial support that wealthier countries are obligated to provide.

Read more on Barron's

However it added that "preserving the side does not obligate the government to preserve all the buildings and structures... in their current state," and authorities had yet to assess the buildings.

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“We felt obligated to provide more than the average internship,” said Jordan Hirsch, a senior counselor who works with Karp on special projects, including this program.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• constrain 
• oblige