obligation

n 1: the social force that binds you to your obligations and the

courses of action demanded by that force: "we must

instill a sense of duty in our children"; "every right

implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an

obligation; every possession, a duty"- John

D.Rockefeller Jr [syn: {duty}, {responsibility}]

2: the state of having financial obligations

3: a legal agreement specifying a payment or action and the

penalty for failure to comply