fulfill

What it means

1. UStransitiveTo satisfy, carry out, bring to completion (an obligation, a requirement, etc.).

   You made a promise, son, and now you must fulfill it.

   1 more example

   Japanese retail stores have strove to, and have succeeded in, fulfilling these severe demands, and in doing so, have constantly had to innovate both technologically and institutionally in order to keep up with the competition.

   2013 February 6, Hideo Otake, “Revising the Interpretation of the Japanese Economy”, in Michio Muramatsu, Frieder Naschold, editors, State and Administration in Japan and Germany: A Comparative Perspective on Continuity and Change, page 319

   Synonyms: realize, perform

2. UStransitiveTo emotionally or artistically satisfy; to develop one's gifts to the fullest.

   This is the most fulfilling work I've ever done.

3. UStransitiveTo obey, follow, comply with (a rule, requirement etc.).

   Unfortunately, you don't fulfill the criteria for extra grants at the present time.

In a sentence

You made a promise, son, and now you must fulfill it.

Where it comes from

1. Old Englishfullfyllan“to fill full”
2. Middle Englishfulfillen
3. Englishfulfill

From Middle English fulfillen, from Old English fullfyllan (“to fill full”). By surface analysis, full- + fill.