1 obligate | Definition of obligate

obligate

verb
ob·​li·​gate | \ ˈä-blə-ˌgāt How to pronounce obligate (audio) \
obligated; obligating

Definition of obligate

 (Entry 1 of 2)

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

adjective
ob·​li·​gate | \ ˈä-bli-gət How to pronounce obligate (audio) , -blə-ˌgāt\

Definition of obligate (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : restricted to one particularly characteristic mode of life an obligate parasite
2 : biologically essential for survival obligate mutualism

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Other Words from obligate

Adjective

obligately adverb

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: Verb

The official said the Office off Management and Budget hasn't taken any action that would jeopardize funds obligated before then. Kathryn Watson, CBS News, "Trump administration reviewing Ukraine security funding," 30 Aug. 2019 Each employment agreement contained, among other provisions, a Confidential Information paragraph, which obligated LEVANDOWSKI to hold Google’s Confidential Information, including trade secrets, in confidence. Charles Duhigg, The New Yorker, "How the Anthony Levandowski Indictment Helps Big Tech Stifle Innovation in Silicon Valley," 28 Aug. 2019 But the vote is only likely to amplify the debate in Alabama and elsewhere on how much the local taxpayers should be obligated for sports venues. al.com, "Civic Center project pitches come to focus: ‘We are looking for an attraction’," 30 June 2019 That matters for leopard seals because they're considered ice-obligate animals. Craig Welch, National Geographic, "A top Antarctic predator has switched what it eats," 2 May 2019 Aid advocates say a number of factors explain why the funding hasn’t been obligated in some accounts, such as a government shutdown and a delayed congressional appropriations process. John Hudson, BostonGlobe.com, "US officials shield Ivanka Trump, Pence projects in review of foreign aid," 14 Aug. 2019 If this happens by law you are not obligated to talk to them. Paris Martineau, WIRED, "How 9 People Built an Illegal $5M Airbnb Empire in New York," 24 June 2019 They are not obligated to pay based on invoices and photos. Benny L. Kass, chicagotribune.com, "Associations, inform insurer of accidents — even if you think you're in the clear," 12 June 2017 But the new lease also obligated the county to buy riverfront land currently owned by Hilltop Basic Resources, so the Bengals can build a new practice facility there. Sharon Coolidge, Cincinnati.com, "County officials are about to spend a lot of your money. They don't want to talk about it.," 9 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'obligate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of obligate

Verb

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for obligate

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.

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More Definitions for obligate

obligate

verb

English Language Learners Definition of obligate

: to make (a person or organization) do something because the law requires it or because it is the right thing to do

obligate

verb
ob·​li·​gate | \ ˈä-blə-ˌgāt How to pronounce obligate (audio) \
obligated; obligating

Kids Definition of obligate

: to make (someone) do something by law or because it is right The contract obligates you to pay monthly.

obligate

adjective
ob·​li·​gate | \ ˈäb-li-gət How to pronounce obligate (audio) , -lə-ˌgāt How to pronounce obligate (audio) \

Medical Definition of obligate

1 : restricted to one particularly characteristic mode of life or way of functioning the infant is an obligate nose breatherJournal of the American Medical Association an obligate parasite
2 : biologically essential for survival obligate parasitism