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

"It was because of people like Cesar Chavez and Martin Luther King and other leaders that I made a commitment as a child that I wanted to spend my life fighting for justice," she said.

From BBC

“I’m sure they won’t mind if you miss a week. Besides, I have band commitments the rest of the week, so today’s the only day I can see you.”

From Literature

The U.A.E. is demonstrating the commitment that will be needed to get us there.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The Government of Mexico will exhaust all legal and diplomatic avenues to raise awareness of the current problem and address this case, reiterating its commitment to ensuring the protection and dignity of Mexican citizens abroad.”

From Los Angeles Times

But it does reaffirm Lilly’s commitment to its strategy at a time when enterprises are feeling pressure to adopt the technology, even as questions linger around the return on investment.

From Barron's

Related Words

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