commitment

American  

[kuh-mit-muhnt] / kəˈmɪt mənt /

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.

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commitment British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• noncommitment noun
• precommitment adjective
• self-commitment noun

Etymology

Origin of commitment

First recorded in 1605–15; commit + -ment

Example Sentences

Yet, despite Maresca showing his commitment, it remains an open question whether this ongoing power struggle could affect Chelsea's players going forward.

From BBC

But it also is wary of commitments that could draw it into another Middle East war.

From The Wall Street Journal

Netflix was new to original programming so it had to make bigger commitments than rivals to convince creators to sign on.

From The Wall Street Journal

Analysts said that the cut to Medicaid prices would have little impact, and the commitment to match U.S. prices of new drugs with overseas prices could be managed by setting higher prices overseas.

From Barron's

“Lazarus” is also ambitious in its commitment to emulating live-action filmmaking techniques, blending a variety of animation styles with sequences with floating electronic melodies and action sequences designed by John Wick creator Chad Stahelski.

From Salon

Related Words

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