commitment

noun

com·​mit·​ment kə-ˈmit-mənt 

1

a

: an agreement or pledge to do something in the future

a commitment to improve working conditions

Beasley gave a verbal commitment to the 49ers.

—Grant Wahl

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

making a major financial commitment

b

: something pledged

the commitment of troops to the war

c

: a promise to be loyal to someone or something

a commitment to a cause

questioned the company's commitment to safety

Getting a dog is a big commitment.

specifically : the state of being in a serious usually long-term and monogamous emotional relationship

… they are afraid of commitment and are abandoning marriage.

—Richard Settersten and Barbara E. Ray

d

: the attitude of someone who works hard to do or support something

shows commitment to her work

2

a

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

(1)

: a consignment to a prison or an institution for the mentally ill

filed a petition for commitment

(2)

: an act of referring a matter to a legislative committee

b

: mittimus

Synonyms of commitment

• dedication
• loyalty
• allegiance
• devotion
• fidelity

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 on the Web

For the first time, there appears to be a commitment that Foxboro will incur no cost and will not have to worry about reimbursement processes. —Adam Crafton, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026

Washington is likely to push for extended commitments on agricultural purchases, including soybeans and aircraft, as well as assurances that China will not restrict its rare earth exports, according to analysts. —Anniek Bao, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026

Brakel raved about his commitment to his craft, particularly his shooting, and called his shot one that the team wanted. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026

The right to shelter is a critical legal protection that reflects our city’s commitment to basic human dignity. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

commit + -ment

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing commitment

• big commitment
• financial commitment
• pre-commitment

Rhymes for commitment

• recommitment

Kids Definition

commitment

noun

com·​mit·​ment kə-ˈmit-mənt 

1

: an act of committing

2

a

: an agreement or pledge to do something in the future

b

: something pledged

financial commitments

Medical Definition

commitment

noun

com·​mit·​ment kə-ˈmit-mənt 

: a consignment to a prison or an institution for the mentally ill

Legal Definition

commitment

noun

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

cannot meet their loan commitments