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Definition of compulsory

compulsory

/kəmˈpʌl.sər.i/
com · pul · so · ry
Adverb:compulsorily
•
Plural:compulsories
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compulsory Lexical Profile

compulsory Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Required by a law, rule, or official authority; obligatory.

Example

"Elementary and secondary education is compulsory for children in most countries."

2

Involving or exercising physical or legal coercion.

Example

"The municipal government initiated compulsory purchase orders to acquire land for the new highway."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for compulsory
Antonyms
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• noun

1

A required routine, figure, or set of exercises in an athletic competition (such as figure skating or gymnastics) that all contestants must perform.

Example

"She held a commanding lead after the compulsories before moving on to the free skate."

• Rhymes for compulsory

• Nearby Words

compulsively
compulsiveness
compulsorily
compulsory
computation
computational
computationally

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the 16th century from Medieval Latin compulsorius, derived from Latin compulsus, the past participle of compellere ('to drive together, compel'), from com- ('together') and pellere ('to drive').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Compulsory. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/compulsory
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