First Known Use: 1581
Dictionary
compulsory
adjective com·pul·so·ry \kəm-ˈpəls-rē, -ˈpəl-sə-\
: required by a law or rule
: having the power of forcing someone to do something
Full Definition of COMPULSORY
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Examples of COMPULSORY
- To free the mind and the heart from compulsory religious confession and observance was good for all three interested parties: the state, the church and the people. —Jon Meacham, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2009
- So he wants a private life and no photographs and nobody to know his home address. I can dig it, I can relate to that (but, like he should try it when it's compulsory instead of a free-choice option). —Salman Rushdie, New York Times Book Review, 14 Jan. 1990
- He began to resent the compulsory attendance at the boring factory meetings. —James Reston, Jr., Time, 28 Nov. 1988
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Origin of COMPULSORY
(see compulsion)
Related to COMPULSORY
- Synonyms
- mandatory, forced, imperative, incumbent, involuntary, necessary, nonelective, obligatory, peremptory, required
COMPULSORY Defined for Kids
compulsory
adjective com·pul·so·ry \kəm-ˈpəls-rē, -ˈpəl-sə-rē\
Definition of COMPULSORY for Kids
1
: required by or as if by law <compulsory education>
2
: having the power of forcing someone to do something <a compulsory law>
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