Definition of obligate
obligated
;obligating
transitive verb
1 : to bind legally or morally : constrain You are obligated to repay the loan.
2 : to commit (as funds) to meet an obligation funds obligated for new projects
Examples of obligate in a sentence
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>
Origin and Etymology of obligate
Latin obligatus, past participle of obligare
First Known Use: 1533
Definition of obligate
1 : restricted to one particularly characteristic mode of life an obligate parasite
2 : biologically essential for survival obligate mutualism
obligately
adverbOrigin and Etymology of obligate
see 1obligate
First Known Use: 1887
Other Biology Terms
OBLIGATE Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of obligate for English Language Learners
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: to make (a person or organization) do something because the law requires it or because it is the right thing to do
OBLIGATE Defined for Kids
obligate
playDefinition of obligate for Students
obligated
;obligating
: to make (someone) do something by law or because it is right The contract obligates you to pay monthly.
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of obligate
1: restricted to one particularly characteristic mode of life or way of functioning the infant is an obligate nose breather—Journal of the American Medical Association an obligate parasite
2: biologically essential for survival obligate parasitism
obligately
adverbLaw Dictionary
Learn More about obligate
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See words that rhyme with obligate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for obligate Spanish Central: Translation of obligate Nglish: Translation of obligate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of obligate for Arabic speakers
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