Main Entry: en·gage·ment

Pronunciation: \in-ˈgāj-mənt, en-\

Function: noun

Date: 1601

1 a : an arrangement to meet or be present at a specified time and place <a dinner engagement> b : a job or period of employment especially as a performer
2 : something that engages : pledge
3 a : the act of engaging : the state of being engaged b : emotional involvement or commitment <seesaws between obsessive engagement and ambiguous detachment — Gary Taylor> c : betrothal
4 : the state of being in gear
5 : a hostile encounter between military forces