Dictionary definition · obligate
verb
- force somebody to do something"We compel all students to fill out this form"
- commit in order to fulfill an obligation"obligate money"
- bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted"He's held by a contract"
adjective
- restricted to a particular condition of life"an obligate anaerobe can survive only in the absence of oxygen"
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).