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

Rezaei was named this month as part of senior appointments widely seen as hardening Tehran’s political and military stance. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

On one occasion, Clancy was prescribed three new meds at a single appointment. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026

The litigation, filed on behalf of holders of charter school revenue bonds issued by the California School Finance Authority, led to the appointment of a receiver to find a buyer for the property. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026

Notable Turnover in US boardrooms has slowed, a recent Spencer Stuart analysis found, with this year marking the fewest number of new director appointments to S&P 500 companies for at least a decade. — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 21 Aug. 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