obligation
US /ˌɑː.bləˈɡeɪ.ʃən/
UK /ˌɑː.bləˈɡeɪ.ʃən/
1.
an act or course of action to which a person is morally or legally bound; a duty or commitment
:
•
He has a moral obligation to help his family.
•
Paying taxes is a legal obligation.
2.
the condition of being morally or legally bound to do something
:
•
He is under no obligation to tell them anything.
•
The company is under a contractual obligation to deliver the goods by Friday.