Origin: Latin suffix -ory
Mandatory has 5 different meanings across 2 categories:
a territory surrendered by Turkey or Germany after World War I and put under the tutelage of some other European power until they are able to stand by themselves
"The League of Nations classified these former German colonies as mandatory territories pending their development into self-governing states."
A sign or line that require the path of the disc to be above, below or to one side of it.
"The mandatory on the target ring indicated that the player's throw had to clear its edge to score points."
In plain English: A mandatory is an order that you must follow because there are no choices involved.
"The mandatory for the wedding was an old friend from college who helped organize everything."
required by rule
"in most schools physical education is compulsory"
"attendance is mandatory"
"required reading"
Obligatory; required or commanded by authority.
"The new safety regulations made wearing a seatbelt mandatory for all passengers in the vehicle."
In plain English: Mandatory means something you absolutely have to do because it is required by law or rules.
"The school made vaccination mandatory for all students to return after the break."
Usage: Use mandatory when an action is strictly required by a rule or law, distinguishing it from voluntary choices. This adjective often describes policies that leave no room for personal discretion.
The word mandatory comes from the Late Latin mandatorius, which described something belonging to one who gives orders. It entered English through the related noun "mandate," carrying its original sense of being commanded or required.