commitment

[kuh-mit-muhnt]

noun

1. the act of committing.

2. the state of being committed.

3. the act of committing, pledging, or engaging oneself.

4. a pledge or promise; obligation.

   We have made a commitment to pay our bills on time.

5. dedication; allegiance.

   They have a sincere commitment to religion.

6. perpetration or commission, as of a crime.

7. consignment, as to prison.

8. confinement to a mental institution or hospital.

   The psychiatrist recommended commitment.

9. an order, as by a court or judge, confining a person to a mental institution or hospital.

10. Law.,  a written order of a court directing that someone be confined in prison; mittimus.

11. Parliamentary Procedure.,  the act of referring or entrusting to a committee for consideration.

12. Stock Exchange.

    1. an agreement to buy or sell securities.

    2. a sale or purchase of securities.

commitment

/ kəˈmɪtmənt /

noun

1. the act of committing or pledging

2. the state of being committed or pledged

3. an obligation, promise, etc that restricts one's freedom of action

4. the referral of a bill to a committee or legislature

5. Also called (esp formerly): mittimus. law a written order of a court directing that a person be imprisoned

6. the official consignment of a person to a mental hospital or prison

7. commission or perpetration, esp of a crime

8. a future financial obligation or contingent liability

Other Word Forms

• noncommitment noun
• precommitment adjective
• self-commitment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of commitment¹

First recorded in 1605–15; commit + -ment

Example Sentences

“Mike and Pam’s unwavering leadership and commitment to this business has been critical to our success this year,” he wrote.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Our commitment to creating magical experiences for everyone remains at the heart of what we do — and that will never change.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Rights are due to be put out to tender this month and are likely to involve a six-year commitment - double the current length.

Read more on BBC

The question of where to donate the art came next, and Jane said there weren’t many places that came into play when she was looking for institutions with a long-standing commitment to Germanic modernism.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Mr Neal denied the claim, saying its information-collection activities had ceased on 31 July but its staff remained in Burkina Faso to deal with the detention and meet its contractual commitments.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• engagement 
• guarantee 
• need 
• pledge 
• promise 
• responsibility