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.

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engagement ring British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of engagement ring

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

When Kelley Long’s roughly two-year marriage ended, she fought to keep her diamond engagement ring, which she estimates cost $10,000.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

A centrepiece of the prosecution case concerned the mysterious reappearance of Arlene's gold eternity ring, diamond and gold wedding ring, and a sapphire engagement ring.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

The scariest thing about buying my fiancée’s engagement ring wasn’t the months of saving up money, nor the anxiety of wondering if she’d love every little detail of the ring I’d picked out for her.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 3, 2026

The addition of the engagement ring helps sell the story.

From Salon • Jan. 2, 2026

‘Yes, now I’m back,” she said softly, and then took off her engagement ring.

From "Bodega Dreams" by Ernesto Quinonez