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

The pledge obligates actors, directors and producers not to screen films, appear in or work with what it considers complicit institutions, including festivals, cinemas, broadcasters and production companies.

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Options are similar to futures but grant the holder the choice to buy or sell gold at a specific price on a date in the future without making them obligated to do so.

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The White House also suggested it isn’t obligated to give back pay to furloughed employees.

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Legally, the company is not obligated to make any public statements about the breach as long as it has notified all individuals affected through other means.

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The three-judge bench said on Sunday that the state was legally obligated to provide prisoners with enough nutrition to ensure "a basic level of existence".

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Related Words

• constrain 
• oblige