/ kəmˈpʌlʃn; NAmE / noun compulsion (to do sth)
1.
[ U , C ] strong pressure that makes sb do sth that they do not want to do :
You are under no compulsion to pay immediately.
There are no compulsions on students to attend classes.
2.
[ C ] a strong desire to do sth, especially sth that is wrong, silly or dangerous
SYN urge :
He felt a great compulsion to tell her everything.
—see also compel
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : via Old French from late Latin compulsio(n-) , from compellere to drive, force, from com- together + pellere drive.