obligatory

4 definitions • 6 examples

If something is obligatory, you must do it because of a rule or law, etc.:

The medical examination before you start work is obligatory.

[ + to infinitive ] The statute made it obligatory for all healthy males between 14 and 60 to work.

expected because it usually happens:

Several Secret Service agents surrounded the President, all wearing the obligatory raincoat and hat.

(of an action) expected, esp. because it is what most people do:

Everybody who goes to England makes the obligatory trip to Stonehenge.

if something is obligatory, you must do it because of a rule or law:

it is obligatory for sb to do sth It is obligatory for members in practice to hold insurance.

The obligatory retirement age is 65.