obligate

1 of 2

verb

ob·​li·​gate ˈä-blə-ˌgāt How to pronounce obligate (audio)
obligated; obligating
Synonyms of obligatenext

transitive verb

1
: to bind legally or morally : constrain
You are obligated to repay the loan.
2
: to commit (something, such as funds) to meet an obligation
funds obligated for new projects

obligate

2 of 2

adjective

ob·​li·​gate ˈä-bli-gət How to pronounce obligate (audio) -blə-ˌgāt How to pronounce obligate (audio)
1
: restricted to one particularly characteristic mode of life
an obligate parasite
2
: biologically essential for survival
obligate mutualism
obligately adverb

Synonyms

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of obligate in a Sentence

Verb The contract obligates the firm to complete the work in six weeks. the problem is of your own making, so don't think that you can obligate me to help
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Users would have to interact with a store clerk before starting a transaction, employees would be obligated to report suspicious activity and warning signs would be required, among other things, Land’s memo stated. — Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2025 But negative guidance from the CDC may affect insurance coverage because insurers are only obligated to cover vaccines that have been recommended by the agency. — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
However, laws already passed by Congress obligate the government to continue overseeing student loans. — Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025 Quiescence and obligate diapause have different advantages, and most insect species opt for one or the other. — Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 8 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for obligate

Word History

Etymology

Verb

borrowed from Latin obligātus, past participle of obligāre "to tie up, restrain by tying, place under a legal or moral constraint" — more at oblige

Adjective

borrowed from German obligat "necessary, unavoidable," borrowed from Latin obligātus "under an obligation," from past participle of obligāre "to tie up, restrain by tying, place under a legal or moral constraint" — more at oblige

Note: In biological sense apparently adapted from use of German obligat by the mycologist Heinrich Anton de Bary (1831-88) in Vergleichende Morphologie und Biologie der Pilze, Mycetozoen und Bacterien (Leipzig, 1884), p. 382 ff.

First Known Use

Verb

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of obligate was in 1533

Rhymes for obligate

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Browse Nearby Words

obligate
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Cite this Entry

“Obligate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obligate. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

obligate

verb
ob·​li·​gate
ˈäb-lə-ˌgāt
obligated; obligating
: to make (someone) do something by law or because it is right

Medical Definition

obligate

adjective
ob·​li·​gate ˈäb-li-gət How to pronounce obligate (audio) -lə-ˌgāt How to pronounce obligate (audio)
1
: restricted to one particularly characteristic mode of life or way of functioning
the infant is an obligate nose breather— The Journal of the American Medical Association
an obligate parasite
2
: biologically essential for survival
obligate parasitism
obligately adverb

Legal Definition

obligate

transitive verb
ob·​li·​gate ˈä-blə-ˌgāt How to pronounce obligate (audio)
obligated; obligating
1
: to bind legally or morally
was obligated to pay child support
2
: to commit (as funds or property) to meet or provide security for an obligation
obligatory
ə-ˈbli-gə-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce obligate (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on obligate

Nglish: Translation of obligate for Spanish Speakers

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