engagement

noun

en·​gage·​ment in-ˈgāj-mənt How to pronounce engagement (audio)
en-
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 detachmentGary Taylor
c
4
: the state of being in gear
5
: a hostile encounter between military forces

Examples of engagement in a Sentence

The couple recently announced their engagement. She surprised everyone by breaking off her yearlong engagement. We have a dinner engagement this weekend. She's been offered several speaking engagements. his lifelong engagement with politics a lack of emotional engagement
Recent Examples on the Web The next season documented their engagement in June 2018. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024 Seeing how other colleagues respond to the same questions can make offering feedback feel less intimidating than answering an engagement survey on one’s own. Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2024 Their outreach includes work in STEM education, parent engagement, mentorship and entrepreneurship. Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024 In other words, without a readiness for engagement and compromise by the parties involved, no amount of American diplomatic heavy lifting will make any difference. Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Mar. 2024 Photos snapped on March 12 show the couple sitting close together and laughing, with Kravitz's arms resting on Tatum's knee at a conveniently perfect angle for showing off her huge diamond engagement ring. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2024 According to a survey last year by Capterra, a software consultant, small and medium-size businesses say their marketing efforts get far more engagement on TikTok than on other social media networks. Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 The missteps appear to be common lapses for Mr. Biden who for years has struggled with names and dates in public speaking engagements. Arden Farhi, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024 First, platforms can reduce their overwhelming focus on engagement (the amount of time and activity users spend per day or month). Nathaniel Lubin, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'engagement.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of engagement was in 1601

Dictionary Entries Near engagement

Cite this Entry

“Engagement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/engagement. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

engagement

noun
en·​gage·​ment in-ˈgāj-mənt How to pronounce engagement (audio)
1
a
: a promise to be present at a specified place and time
b
: employment especially for a stated time
the band had engagements in different towns
2
3
a
: the act of engaging : the state of being engaged
b
: an agreement to marry
also : the period during which one is pledged to be married
4
: the state of being meshed into a working arrangement in which one part drives another
5
: the state of being in conflict, opposition, or battle

Medical Definition

engagement

noun
en·​gage·​ment in-ˈgāj-mənt How to pronounce engagement (audio)
: the phase of childbirth in which the fetal head passes into the cavity of the true pelvis

More from Merriam-Webster on engagement

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!