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

The market is “sensitive” to anything related to OpenAI and its ability to pay off and build the commitments it has made over the next few years, Zakalik said.

Read more on MarketWatch

Their physicality, ability to win second balls, and commitment to running off the ball and arrive in dangerous areas were key to them getting an impressive win.

Read more on BBC

Mr Finlay is asking the Scottish government for a multi-million pound funding commitment, to match the EU's research on system economics, environmental and animal welfare impacts.

Read more on BBC

Here are the main negotiated outcomes, and the voluntary commitments, made during the summit attended by nearly 200 nations:

Read more on Barron's

Those commitments would fall short of a European-led “reassurance force” stationed within the country to deter further Russian attacks.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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