1. (v. t.) To place under moral or legal duty; to hold by a constraining motive; as to obligate one to donate\.

2. (v. t.) To bind or firmly hold to an act; to compel; to constrain; to bind to any act of duty or courtesy by a formal pledge.

accept obligation agree to answer for be answerable for be responsible for be security for bind commit compel constrain contract engage force go bail for have an understanding make imperative make incumbent oblige pledge require saddle with shake hands on take the vows tie undertake