commit

[ kuh-mit ]

verb (used with object)

, com·mit·ted, com·mit·ting.

1. to do; perform; perpetrate:

   to commit murder; to commit an error.

   Synonyms: execute, effect

2. to pledge (oneself ) to a position on an issue or question; express (one's intention, feeling, etc.):

   Asked if he was a candidate, he refused to commit himself.

3. to bind or obligate, as by pledge or assurance; pledge:

   to commit oneself to a promise; to be committed to a course of action.

4. to consign for preservation:

   to commit ideas to writing; to commit a poem to memory.

5. to give in trust or charge, especially for safekeeping; consign; commend: Every summer we were committed to babysitters and camp counselors.

   to commit one's soul to God;

   Every summer we were committed to babysitters and camp counselors.

6. to consign to custody:

   to commit a delinquent to a juvenile detention center.

7. to place in a mental institution or hospital by or as if by legal authority:

   He was committed by court order on the recommendation of two psychiatrists.

8. to deliver for treatment, disposal, etc.; relegate:

   to commit a manuscript to the flames.

9. to send into a battle:

   The commander has committed all his troops to the front lines.

10. Parliamentary Procedure. to refer (a bill or the like) to a committee for consideration.

verb (used without object)

, com·mit·ted, com·mit·ting.

1. to bind or obligate oneself, as by pledge or assurance; devote or engage oneself to a person or thing: If he hasn’t committed after eight years, he’s never going to marry you.

   She is an athlete who commits to the highest standards.

   If he hasn’t committed after eight years, he’s never going to marry you.

commit

/ kəˈmɪt /

verb

1. to hand over, as for safekeeping; charge; entrust

   to commit a child to the care of its aunt

2. commit to memory
   to learn by heart; memorize
3. to confine officially or take into custody

   to commit someone to prison

4. usually passive to pledge or align (oneself), as to a particular cause, action, or attitude

   a committed radical

5. to order (forces) into action
6. to perform (a crime, error, etc); do; perpetrate
7. to surrender, esp for destruction

   she committed the letter to the fire

8. to refer (a bill, etc) to a committee of a legislature

Derived Forms

• comˈmitter, noun
• comˈmittable, adjective

Other Words From

• com·mit·ta·ble adjective
• com·mit·ter noun
• non·com·mit·ted adjective
• pre·com·mit verb (used with object) precommitted precommitting
• un·com·mit verb uncommitted uncommitting

Word History and Origins

Origin of commit¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English committen, from Anglo-French committer or directly from Latin committere, equivalent to com- “with, together, completely” + mittere “to send, give over”; com-

Word History and Origins

Origin of commit¹

C14: from Latin committere to join, from com- together + mittere to put, send

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. com·mit su·i·cide, to intentionally end one’s own life.

Example Sentences

"Israel has not committed genocide or war crimes that deserve these charges against the prime minister and the minister of defence," Olmert told Radio 4's World Tonight programme.

From BBC

Finding the right head coach is just one of the committed investments the franchise is making in its future.

From Los Angeles Times

Police said stalking was a priority and they were committed to tackling the crime.

From BBC

This is significant news given indications Guardiola was only going to fully commit to an additional year.

From BBC

According to police, an older model blue Toyota Corolla committed a pair of moving violations around 2:55 a.m.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• allocate
• charge
• engage
• give
• hold
• invest
• offer
• promise
• send