mandatory

[man-duh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]

adjective

1. authoritatively ordered; obligatory; compulsory.

   It is mandatory that all students take two years of math.

   Synonyms: exigent, requisite

2. pertaining to, of the nature of, or containing a command.

3. Law.,  permitting no option; not to be disregarded or modified.

   a mandatory clause.

4. having received a mandate, as a nation.

noun

plural

mandatories 

1. mandatary.

mandatory

/ ˈmændətərɪ, -trɪ /

adjective

1. having the nature or powers of a mandate

2. obligatory; compulsory

3. (of a state) having received a mandate over some territory

noun

1. Also called: mandatary. a person or state holding a mandate

Other Word Forms

• mandatorily adverb
• nonmandatory adjective
• unmandatory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mandatory¹

From the Late Latin word mandātōrius, dating back to 1655–65. See mandate, -tory ¹

Example Sentences

Establishing the run is mandatory to keeping Kansas City’s defense honest.

From Los Angeles Times

In November 2024, the resort’s owner announced the ranch would become a “textile” park, meaning clothing would be mandatory on all of the property as of Jan. 6.

From Los Angeles Times

The government has made it mandatory for water travellers to always wear life jackets, but this is often not enforced.

From BBC

The IOC used visual inspections in the 1960s, but there were concerns they were degrading and invasive, before mandatory chromosome-based cheek swab tests were introduced.

From BBC

Australia has faced a recent rise in right-wing extremism and made the Nazi salute punishable by a mandatory prison term earlier this year.

From BBC

Related Words

• binding 
• compulsory 
• de rigueur 
• essential 
• forced 
• imperative 
• indispensable 
• involuntary 
• obligatory