shall: Meaning and Definition of

shall

Pronunciation: (shalunstressedsh&schwal), [key]
— pres. sing. 1st pers. 2nd 3rd pres. pl. past sing. 1st pers. 2nd 3rd past pl. imperative, infinitive, and participles lacking. shall, shall shalt, shall, shall should, should shouldst should•est, should, should
  1. plan to, intend to, or expect to: I shall go later.
  2. will have to, is determined to, or definitely will: You shall do it. He shall do it.
  3. (in laws, directives, etc.) must; is or are obliged to: The meetings of the council shall be public.
  4. (used interrogatively in questions, often in invitations): Shall we go?
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.