obligation

A social, legal, or moral requirement, such as a duty, contract, or promise, that compels one to follow or avoid a particular course of action.

The constraining power of a promise, contract, law, or sense of duty.

A document in which a person binds himself or herself to undertake or refrain from doing a particular act.

A debt instrument, such as a loan, mortgage, or bond.

The state, fact, or feeling of being indebted to another for a special service or favor received.

The constraining power or authoritative character of a duty, a moral precept, a civil law, or a promise or contract voluntarily made; action upon the will by a sense of moral constraint.

That to which one is bound; that which one is bound or obliged to do, especially by moral or legal claims; a duty.

A claim; a ground of demanding.

The state or fact of being bound or morally constrained by gratitude to requite benefits; moral indebtedness.