obligate

American  

[ob-li-geyt, ob-li-git, -geyt] / ˈɒb lɪˌgeɪt, ˈɒb lɪ gɪt, -ˌgeɪt /

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.

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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 British  

/ ˈɒblɪˌɡeɪt /

verb

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

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

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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 Scientific  

/ ŏb′lĭ-gĭt,-gāt′ /

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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of obligate

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

Explanation

To obligate is to either force someone to do something or be compelled to do something. You’re obligated to get to work on time if you want to keep your job. Obligating has to do with responsibilities. When you have a job, you're obligated to show up and do your work. You could also say the job obligates you to do these things. Obligate, which is about obligations (duties), can be used another way – to commit as security. Money would be obligated, or put up as security. Obligate is not the same thing as oblige, which is like doing a favor. To obligate is meaner, it means “to force.”

Example Sentences

My sexuality doesn’t obligate me to embrace a particular ideology or to reject the moral inheritance of the society that made my life possible.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

Brennan & Rogers, a Maine-based law firm, says those laws obligate adult children to provide necessities such as food, clothing, housing and medical care for their parents who can’t afford to take care of themselves.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 4, 2026

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.

From Barron's • Nov. 3, 2025

But it does not obligate the IOC to make changes, cancel or assume liability.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 18, 2025

The next treat was a duet on the flute and trombone between Clarence Smith and Lancelot169 Diffenberger, with a violin obligate on the side by Hector Tompkins.

From You Should Worry Says John Henry by McHugh, Hugh

Related Words

• constrain
• oblige