obligation/͵ɑbləˋgeʃən; ˌɒbləˈɡeIʃ$n or ˌɒblIˈɡeIʃ$n/n [C,U] a moral or legal duty to do something〔道德或法律上的〕义务﹐责任﹐职责: an obligation to do sth Employers have an obligation to provide a safe working environment. 雇主有责任提供一个安全的工作环境。be under an/no obligation to do sth People entering the shop are under no obligation to buy. 进入商店的人并非一定要买东西。