commitment

[ kuh-mit-muhnt ]

noun

1. the act of committing.
2. the state of being committed.
3. the act of committing, pledging, or engaging oneself.
4. a pledge or promise; obligation:

   We have made a commitment to pay our bills on time.

5. dedication; allegiance:

   They have a sincere commitment to religion.

6. perpetration or commission, as of a crime.
7. consignment, as to prison.
8. confinement to a mental institution or hospital:

   The psychiatrist recommended commitment.

9. an order, as by a court or judge, confining a person to a mental institution or hospital.
10. Law. a written order of a court directing that someone be confined in prison; mittimus.
11. Parliamentary Procedure. the act of referring or entrusting to a committee for consideration.
12. Stock Exchange.
    1. an agreement to buy or sell securities.
    2. a sale or purchase of securities.

commitment

/ kəˈmɪtmənt /

noun

1. the act of committing or pledging
2. the state of being committed or pledged
3. an obligation, promise, etc that restricts one's freedom of action
4. the referral of a bill to a committee or legislature
5. Also called (esp formerly)mittimus law a written order of a court directing that a person be imprisoned
6. the official consignment of a person to a mental hospital or prison
7. commission or perpetration, esp of a crime
8. a future financial obligation or contingent liability

Other Words From

• noncom·mitment noun
• precom·mitment adjective
• self-com·mitment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of commitment¹

First recorded in 1605–15; commit + -ment

Related Words

• engagement
• guarantee
• need
• pledge
• promise
• responsibility