appointment

noun

ap·​point·​ment ə-ˈpȯint-mənt 

1

: an arrangement for a meeting : engagement

She has an appointment for an interview tomorrow.

2

: equipment, furnishings

—usually plural

expensive homes with luxurious appointments

3

: a nonelective office or position

holds an academic appointment

4

a

: an act of appointing someone or something : designation

b

law : the designation by virtue of a vested power of a person to enjoy an estate

Synonyms of appointment

• job
• election
• assignment
• commission
• nomination
• designation
• office
• position

Examples of appointment in a Sentence

I'm late for an appointment.

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning at nine o'clock.

The court ordered the appointment of an attorney to represent the child.

the appointment of a committee

the appointment of the new secretary of state

Did he get his job by appointment or election?

He now holds an appointment from the President.

her appointment as ambassador to Spain

Recent Examples on the Web

Online pharmacies like Mistr and Q Care Plus offer PrEP without an in-person appointment, and lab work can be done at home. —Zach Dyer, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026

Mamdani and his allies in the New York chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America are intensely aware of the need to succeed in the mundane work of governing, and his early appointments are experienced hands from the city’s permanent government. —Ben Smith, semafor.com, 5 Jan. 2026

The ample van with its red crescent logo also helps volunteers driving children to school or medical appointments avoid cumbersome checkpoints and searches by Israeli forces, said Abuobaid. —Laura Turbay, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026

The Dicastery for Bishops organizes such appointments, via the Vatican’s ambassador to the country—the nuncio. —Paul Elie, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see appoint

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing appointment

• by appointment

Rhymes for appointment

• disappointment
• reappointment
• ointment

Kids Definition

appointment

noun

ap·​point·​ment ə-ˈpȯint-mənt 

1

: the act or an instance of appointing

holds office by appointment

2

: a position or office to which a person is named

holds an appointment from the president

3

: an agreement to meet at a fixed time

an appointment with the dentist

4

: furnishings

—usually used in plural