commitment

noun com·mit·ment \ kə-ˈmit-mənt \

Definition of commitment

1 a : an agreement or pledge to do something in the future

a commitment to improve conditions at the prison

; especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date

b : something pledged

the commitment of troops to the war

c : the state or an instance of being obligated or emotionally impelled

a commitment to a cause

2 a : an act of committing to a charge or trust: such as

(1) : a consignment to a penal or mental institution

filed a petition for commitment

(2) : an act of referring a matter to a legislative committee

b : mittimus

See commitment defined for English-language learners

See commitment defined for kids

Examples of commitment in a Sentence

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
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
… 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
His commitment to a blue-water navy expressed his determination to project power. —George F. Will, Newsweek, 22 Nov. 1982
We've got commitments from several charities to donate food and clothing.
the government's commitment of troops to the region
The church has a commitment to helping the poor.
The boss noticed her strong commitment to her work.
No one doubts your commitment to the cause.

Recent Examples of commitment from the Web

These ads have attacked our candidate’s integrity, character, and questioned her commitment to our city and our children.

— jason williams, Cincinnati.com, "PX: Who's behind mystery mailers attacking Mayor John Cranley?," 3 Nov. 2017
San Antonio would need to say goodbye to its 2018 free agents and cut additional salary, reversing course somewhat after its recent commitments to LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol.

— ben golliver, SI.com, "The Decision III: Where Will LeBron Go in 2018?," 3 Nov. 2017
But The Times promises to continue its commitment to education.

— jane karr, New York Times, "Saying Farewell to Education Life," 3 Nov. 2017
Eder, 30, extends his commitment to the Nerazzurri through 2021, after joining in January of 2016 on an 18-month loan deal from Sampdoria.

— juan pimiento, chicagotribune.com, "Eder signs new deal with Inter," 2 Nov. 2017
Jaden Johnson, a consensus three-star quarterback prospect from Kirby High School in Memphis, Tennessee, announced his commitment to Louisville via Twitter.

— jake lourim, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville adds a pro-style quarterback to its 2019 class," 1 Nov. 2017
As part of Thursday's announcement, Branson highlighted his ongoing commitment to Western values.

— eric berger, Ars Technica, "Saudi Arabia invests $1 billion in Richard Branson’s space plane and rocket," 26 Oct. 2017
Kelly later expressed her commitment to not talking politics on her new NBC show—or even, as Meyers suggested, making scones with Anthony Weiner.

— laura bradley, HWD, "Megyn Kelly and Gretchen Carlson Get Candid on Late Night—Sort Of," 26 Oct. 2017
Their Wild Boar Burger is all about testing your commitment to excess: bacon, boar, pimento cheese, BBQ sauce, and jalapeño.

— oset babur, GQ, "The Best Fine Dining Burgers Are a Gift to Us All," 22 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'commitment.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of commitment

commit + -ment

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1579

See Words from the same year

commitment Synonyms

COMMITMENT Defined for English Language Learners

commitment

noun

Definition of commitment for English Language Learners

: a promise to do or give something
: a promise to be loyal to someone or something
: the attitude of someone who works very hard to do or support something

Medical Dictionary

commitment

noun com·mit·ment \ kə-ˈmit-mənt \

medical Definition of commitment

: a consignment to a penal or mental institution

Law Dictionary

commitment

noun

legal Definition of commitment

1 : an act of committing: as

a : placement in or assignment to a prison or mental hospital

petition for commitment

— compare incompetent, interdiction

Note: Commitment to a mental health facility is called civil commitment when it is not part of a criminal proceeding. Civil commitment proceedings are initiated by the patient, in the case of voluntary commitment, or by someone (as a family member or government agent) authorized by statute to petition for the patient's involuntary commitment. Some form of a hearing and periodic review is required in involuntary commitment proceedings. A criminal defendant may be committed to a mental hospital as a result of being found incompetent to stand trial, not guilty by reason of insanity, or incompetent to be sentenced.

b : an act of referring a matter to a legislative committee

c : a warrant committing someone to a prison

2 : an agreement or promise to do something in the future; especially : a promise to assume a financial obligation at a future date