engagement

American  

[en-geyj-muhnt] / ɛnˈgeɪdʒ mənt /

noun

1. the act of engaging or the state of being engaged; involvement: The website failed because of weak visitor engagement.

   Voter engagement and turnout were high.

   The website failed because of weak visitor engagement.

2. an appointment or arrangement.

   a business engagement.

3. betrothal.

   They announced their engagement.

4. a pledge; an obligation or agreement.

   All his time seems to be taken up with social engagements.

   Synonyms:

   promise, contract

5. employment, or a period or post of employment, especially in the performing arts.

   Her engagement at the nightclub will last five weeks.

6. an encounter, conflict, or battle.

   We have had two very costly engagements with the enemy this week alone.

7. Mechanics. the act or state of interlocking.

8. Commerce. engagements, financial obligations.

---

engagement British  

/ ɪnˈɡeɪdʒmənt /

noun

1. a pledge of marriage; betrothal

2. an appointment or arrangement, esp for business or social purposes

3. the act of engaging or condition of being engaged

4. a promise, obligation, or other condition that binds

5. a period of employment, esp a limited period

6. an action; battle

7. (plural) financial obligations

---

Other Word Forms

• nonengagement noun
• reengagement noun

Etymology

Origin of engagement

First recorded in 1615–25; engage + -ment

Explanation

If you are a musician or performer and you arrange for a performance, then you have booked an engagement. You might stand in line for tickets when your favorite comedian books an engagement at the local theater. An engagement can also be a general appointment. A previous engagement is the perfect excuse not to go to the opera with your grandmother. An engagement also means an agreement to get married. The news of your engagement might please everyone you know except your fiancé's ex-girlfriend. A military engagement is a hostile meeting of military forces on opposing sides of a conflict.

Example Sentences

The first round of Islamabad talks, the highest-level U.S.-Iran engagement since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, lasted 21 hours and produced nothing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

The company has leaned on digital engagement, loyalty programs, and product innovation to boost traffic.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

He sees additional potential value from Marvell’s engagement with the Trainium 4 project through its co-packaged optics technology that comes from its acquisition of Celestial AI.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

Amanda describes herself as Modern Orthodox - a section of Judaism that seeks to uphold Jewish traditions and laws, but with active engagement in the modern world.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

The disease rapidly gained ground, but Root remained committed to the engagement, even though it was clear to everyone he was marrying a dead woman.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Related Words

• appointment
• arrangement
• commitment
• gig