Compulsion

Pronunciation

• enPR: kÉ™m-pÅ­l'shÉ™n

Origin

From Middle French compulsion, from Late Latin compulsiō, from Latin compellere ("to compel, coerce"); see compel.

Full definition of compulsion

Noun

1. An irrational need to perform some action, often despite negative consequences.
• 2013-06-07, David Simpson, Fantasy of navigation, It is tempting to speculate about the incentives or compulsions that might explain why anyone would take to the skies in the basket a balloon: perhaps out of a desire to escape the gravity of this world or to get a preview of the next; ….
2. During the basketball game, I had a sudden compulsion to have a smoke.
3. The use of authority, influence, or other power to force (compel) a person or persons to act.
4. The lawful use of violence (i.e. by the administration).

Related terms

• compulsive
• compulsory