mandatory

[ man-duh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]
/ ˈmæn dəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

adjective

authoritatively ordered; obligatory; compulsory: It is mandatory that all students take two years of math.
pertaining to, of the nature of, or containing a command.
Law. permitting no option; not to be disregarded or modified: a mandatory clause.
having received a mandate, as a nation.

noun, plural man·da·to·ries.

mandatary.

Origin of mandatory

From the Late Latin word mandātōrius, dating back to 1655–65. See mandate, -tory1

SYNONYMS FOR mandatory

1 requisite, exigent.

OTHER WORDS FROM mandatory

man·da·to·ri·ly, adverb non·man·da·to·ry, adjective, noun, plural non·man·da·to·ries. un·man·da·to·ry, adjective

Words nearby mandatory

mandarin orange, mandarinate, mandatary, mandate, mandator, mandatory, mande, mandean, mandel, mandela, mandela, nelson

British Dictionary definitions for mandatorily

mandatory
/ (ˈmændətərɪ, -trɪ) /

adjective

having the nature or powers of a mandate
obligatory; compulsory
(of a state) having received a mandate over some territory

noun plural -ries

Also called: mandatary a person or state holding a mandate

Derived forms of mandatory

mandatorily, adverb