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.

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

• noncommitment noun
• precommitment adjective
• self-commitment noun

Etymology

Origin of commitment

First recorded in 1605–15; commit + -ment

Example Sentences

What Prenetics Global once a called a long-term, “unprecedented commitment” to bitcoin has gone by the wayside in just six months.

From MarketWatch

In the Q&A published Tuesday, the BLS said that it handled the situation as well as it could given resource constraints and a commitment to sticking with transparent methods.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Make no mistake: this is a program-defining change and is reflective of our long-term commitment to the pursuit of championships.”

From Los Angeles Times

Designing for that person isn’t an admission of defeat; it’s a commitment to reality.

From The Wall Street Journal

He said he was honoured and humbled to have been recognised but added it was a reflection of all the dedication and commitment of his colleagues.

From BBC

Related Words

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