appointment

noun

ap·​point·​ment ə-ˈpȯint-mənt How to pronounce appointment (audio)
Synonyms of appointment
1
: an arrangement for a meeting : engagement
She has an appointment for an interview tomorrow.
2
: equipment, furnishings
—usually plural
expensive homes with luxurious appointments
3
: a nonelective office or position
holds an academic appointment
4
a
: an act of appointing someone or something : designation
b
law : the designation by virtue of a vested power of a person to enjoy an estate

Synonyms of appointment

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Examples of appointment in a Sentence

I'm late for an appointment. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning at nine o'clock. The court ordered the appointment of an attorney to represent the child. the appointment of a committee the appointment of the new secretary of state Did he get his job by appointment or election? He now holds an appointment from the President. her appointment as ambassador to Spain
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Cornelius’s pontificate was complicated by a schism, caused by the self-appointment of the Roman priest Novatian as antipope (the second in papal history) and by the dispute over the church’s attitude toward Christian apostates. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026 King’s appointment comes as LIV Golf advances conversations with players regarding their participation. — Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026 The Organization and Guidance Department, the party’s most powerful agency, oversees appointments, inspections, and discipline everywhere—in Pyongyang as well as rural villages. — Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026 Put them on the calendar and treat them like an appointment with your most important client. — Jj Mazzo, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for appointment

Word History

Etymology

see appoint

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of appointment was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing appointment

Rhymes for appointment

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Browse Nearby Words

appointive
appointment
appointment TV
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Cite this Entry

“Appointment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appointment. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

appointment

noun
ap·​point·​ment ə-ˈpȯint-mənt How to pronounce appointment (audio)
1
: the act or an instance of appointing
holds office by appointment
2
: a position or office to which a person is named
holds an appointment from the president
3
: an agreement to meet at a fixed time
an appointment with the dentist
4
: furnishings
—usually used in plural
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