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

Example Sentences

The Canadian Supreme Court said in 2004 that this obligates governments “to consult” with indigenous groups on matters that concern them.

From The Wall Street Journal

Lawyers for the Maduros said that under Venezuelan law, the government is obligated to pay for their legal defense.

From The Wall Street Journal

Air Canada, a former state-owned airline that was privatized over three decades ago, is obligated under Canadian law to have its headquarters in Montreal and offer all services in both English and French.

From The Wall Street Journal

Financial advisers are legally obligated to disclose such revenue sharing, and they typically must do this in writing.

From MarketWatch

A Justice Department official said leadership officials were obligated to intervene when bureaucrats make moves inconsistent with the agency’s enforcement policies.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• constrain
• oblige