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engagement ring

American  

noun

  1. a ring, often a diamond, given by a man to his fiancée at the time of their engagement as a token of their betrothal.


engagement ring British  

noun

  1. a ring given by a man to a woman as a token of their betrothal

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of engagement ring

First recorded in 1860–65

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.

Bernadette also told the court that in subsequent meetings McCullagh had shown her an engagement ring, spoken about renovating his home and that there was an integrated school near his Lisburn home.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

For the second installment of the Don’t Short Yourself newsletter, Weston Blasi described his experience buying an engagement ring and shared this advice.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 6, 2026

Lera, Horbenko’s fiancée, still wears the engagement ring he gave her.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

The addition of the engagement ring helps sell the story.

From Salon • Jan. 2, 2026

She pushes aside her notebook to make room so she can spin the engagement ring Victor refused to take back last night.

From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera