engagement

noun

en·​gage·​ment in-ˈgāj-mənt 

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 detachment

—Gary Taylor

c

: betrothal

4

: the state of being in gear

5

: a hostile encounter between military forces

Synonyms

• betrothal
• espousal
• troth

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

Use tools like interviews, behavioral assessments and engagement surveys to surface values, leadership styles and decision-making norms. Hold early cross-functional culture conversations. —Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025

The news comes on the heels of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement rumors. —Caroline Bell, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2025

She was also seen without her engagement ring at the time (TMZ reported in February that Sweeney and Davino had postponed their May wedding date). —Michelle Lee, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025

Adams said that already he’s met hundreds of people who celebrated engagements, anniversaries or birthdays there in the past. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing engagement

• re-engagement

Rhymes for engagement

• disengagement

Kids Definition

engagement

noun

en·​gage·​ment in-ˈgāj-mənt 

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 

: the phase of childbirth in which the fetal head passes into the cavity of the true pelvis