engages; engaged; engaging
1
formal
: to hire (someone) to perform a particular service
He was engaged as a tutor.
: to pay for (help, services, etc.)
I suggest you engage the services of a lawyer. [=I suggest you hire a lawyer]
2
: to get and keep (someone's attention, interest, etc.)
He sure can engage an audience.
The story engaged my interest.
3
: to start fighting against (an opponent)
The troops prepared to engage the enemy.
(formal)
The troops prepared to engage with the enemy.
4
: to move (a mechanism or part of a machine) so that it fits into another part
He engaged the clutch and drove away.
As I released the clutch, the gears engaged.
Cite this Entry
“Engage.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/engage. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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