engagement
Americannoun
-
engagements
plural
-
the act of engaging or the state of being engaged; involvement: The website failed because of weak visitor engagement.
Voter engagement and turnout were high.
The website failed because of weak visitor engagement.
-
an appointment or arrangement.
a business engagement.
-
betrothal.
They announced their engagement.
-
a pledge; an obligation or agreement.
All his time seems to be taken up with social engagements.
-
employment, or a period or post of employment, especially in the performing arts.
Her engagement at the nightclub will last five weeks.
-
an encounter, conflict, or battle.
We have had two very costly engagements with the enemy this week alone.
-
Mechanics. the act or state of interlocking.
-
Commerce. engagements, financial obligations.
noun
-
a pledge of marriage; betrothal
-
an appointment or arrangement, esp for business or social purposes
-
the act of engaging or condition of being engaged
-
a promise, obligation, or other condition that binds
-
a period of employment, esp a limited period
-
an action; battle
-
(plural) financial obligations
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of engagement
Explanation
If you are a musician or performer and you arrange for a performance, then you have booked an engagement. You might stand in line for tickets when your favorite comedian books an engagement at the local theater. An engagement can also be a general appointment. A previous engagement is the perfect excuse not to go to the opera with your grandmother. An engagement also means an agreement to get married. The news of your engagement might please everyone you know except your fiancé's ex-girlfriend. A military engagement is a hostile meeting of military forces on opposing sides of a conflict.
Vocabulary lists containing engagement
Bud, Not Buddy
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Richard Nixon's "Checkers" Speech (1952)
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 4
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The U.S. reran the training scenario over the two-week engagement.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026
According to Puck News’ Leigh Ann Caldwell, who cited “a reputable Democratic source,” the congresswoman and her fiancé Riley Roberts called off their engagement “about 18 months ago.”
From Salon ● Aug. 12, 2026
Paul Campbell, engagement officer at Leisure and Culture Dundee, said the organisation has sold 600 pairs of eclipse glasses ahead of a viewing event at Broughty Castle Museum.
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026
"The changes risk weakening the integrity and credibility of international cricket, and only highlights the importance of strong governance, transparent decision-making and effective engagement with members," the statement said.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
Vera explained the circumstances of her secretarial engagement.
From "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie
Jordan has been a decades-long military and counterterrorism partner with the United States, opening its territory over the years to U.S. and other Western troops in their engagements throughout the region.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
One new program with $4.9 million of competitive funding available to groups to develop “civilizational self-confidence in Europe” is slated for “research, conferences, cultural engagements, and support for civil society” in wealthy democracies.
From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2026
The report noted that several companies that previously banned their technology from military uses have "gradually reversed course," including Anthropic, which the report criticized for having "questionable military engagements."
From Barron's ● Jul. 7, 2026
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, was planning to join her husband on a number of public engagements in London and the Midlands.
From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2026
Unsure of what to do, he suspended all of Seabiscuit’s engagements.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
