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

He said the new corporation will be committed to investment in the network.

From Los Angeles Times

A lawyer for Alexander Bookman, the officer who shot Mr Durham, said he committed no crimes.

From BBC

“My office is committed to rooting out corruption in the international marketplace and protecting investors from those who seek to enrich themselves at the expense of the integrity of our financial markets,” he added.

From BBC

Wang, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit commodities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities fraud, apologized Wednesday in court.

From Salon

But more than 160 nations have signed the Mine Ban Treaty which commits to banning the production, use and stockpiling of anti-personnel mines.

From BBC

Related Words

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