-ment

American  

1. a suffix of nouns, often concrete, denoting an action or resulting state (abridgment; refreshment ), a product (fragment ), or means (ornament ).

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-ment British  

suffix

1. indicating state, condition, or quality

   enjoyment

2. indicating the result or product of an action

   embankment

3. indicating process or action

   management

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Etymology

Origin of -ment

< French < Latin -mentum, suffix forming nouns, usually from verbs

Example Sentences

The nominalization rule takes a perfectly spry verb and embalms it into a lifeless noun by adding a suffix like -ance, -ment, -ation, or -ing.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Adverbs in Malay are not distinguished by any prevailing termination corresponding to the English -ly or the French -ment.

From A Manual of the Malay language With an Introductory Sketch of the Sanskrit Element in Malay by Maxwell, William Edward, Sir