engagement

noun

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

Synonyms

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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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
However, Severance also serves as a stark warning: organizations that fail to integrate personal identity into their leadership models risk creating rigid, siloed environments that stifle innovation and employee engagement. — Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 Her recent engagements, from visiting a children’s hospice to championing her early-childhood development initiatives, have reflected a deepened commitment. — Simon Perry, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025 The event that makes the difference in the numbers was February’s Grammy Awards, with an earned engagement of $1.3 billion, vs. $976.6 million in 2024. — Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2025 While he's made appearances during a couple of public events such as Election Night and Inauguration Day, Barron Trump has been largely absent from most other high-profile engagements. — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for engagement

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of engagement was in 1601

Phrases Containing engagement

Rhymes for engagement

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Browse Nearby Words

engagement
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Cite this Entry

“Engagement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/engagement. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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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
: pledge entry 1 sense 5, obligation
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

Nglish: Translation of engagement for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about engagement

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