commitment

com·mit·ment

noun \kə-ˈmit-mənt\

Definition of COMMITMENT

1

a : an act of committing to a charge or trust: as (1) : a consignment to a penal or mental institution (2) : an act of referring a matter to a legislative committee b : mittimus

2

a : an agreement or pledge to do something in the future; especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date b : something pledged c : the state or an instance of being obligated or emotionally impelled <a commitment to a cause>

Examples of COMMITMENT

1. We've got commitments from several charities to donate food and clothing.
2. the government's commitment of troops to the region
3. The church has a commitment to helping the poor.
4. The boss noticed her strong commitment to her work.
5. No one doubts your commitment to the cause.
6. His commitment to both his professions is admirable: currently a professor at the Stanford University School of Medicine, he also holds an M.F.A. from the Iowa Writers' Workshop. —Erica Wagner, New York Times Book Review, 8 Feb. 2009
7. In their mission statement, the editors bragged of their firm commitment to equality and social justice, but their philosophy didn't prevent them from summoning Lindsey to perform all their menial tasks. —Kim Wong Keltner, The Dim Sum Of All Things, 2004
8. … I actually finished writing two more episodes of the tale before other commitments forced me to shelve it. —Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Aug. 1991
9. His commitment to a blue-water navy expressed his determination to project power. —George F. Will, Newsweek, 22 Nov. 1982

Origin of COMMITMENT

(see commit)

First Known Use: 1603

Related to COMMITMENT

Synonyms: adhesion, allegiance, attachment, fidelity, constancy, dedication, devotedness, devotion, faith, faithfulness, fastness, fealty, loyalty, piety, steadfastness, troth

Antonyms: disloyalty, faithlessness, falseness, falsity, inconstancy, infidelity, perfidiousness, perfidy, treachery, unfaithfulness

Related Words: affection, fondness; determination, firmness, resolution; dependability, reliability, trustability, trustiness, trustworthiness

Near Antonyms: alienation, disaffection, estrangement, separation

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Rhymes with COMMITMENT

remitment