engagement

noun

en·​gage·​ment in-ˈgāj-mənt How to pronounce engagement (audio)
en-
Synonyms of engagement
1
a
: an arrangement to meet or be present at a specified time and place
a dinner engagement
b
: a job or period of employment especially as a performer
2
: something that engages : pledge
3
a
: the act of engaging : the state of being engaged
b
: emotional involvement or commitment
… seesaws between obsessive engagement and ambiguous detachment.—Gary Taylor
c
: betrothal
4
: the state of being in gear
5
: a hostile encounter between military forces

Synonyms of engagement

Relevance
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Examples of engagement in a Sentence

The couple recently announced their engagement. She surprised everyone by breaking off her yearlong engagement. We have a dinner engagement this weekend. She's been offered several speaking engagements. his lifelong engagement with politics a lack of emotional engagement
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.
L3Harris is pursuing an air-breathing ramjet design intended to improve fuel efficiency and extend engagement distances. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026 Economic integration, semiconductor interdependence, and diplomatic engagement also do not eliminate the possibility of miscalculation. — Ningrong Liu, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 This is a system that automatically manages clutch engagement according to engine speed, reducing the need for manual clutch operation and making everyday riding more convenient. — New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026 Since Min Aung Hlaing became president, the military has sharply escalated attacks on civilians, according to ACLED, even as regional governments step up diplomatic engagement. — Lorcan Lovett, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for engagement

Word History

First Known Use

1617, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Time Traveler
The first known use of engagement was in 1617

Phrases Containing engagement

Rhymes for engagement

See All Rhymes for engagement

Browse Nearby Words

engage in
engagement
engagement ring
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Engagement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/engagement. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

engagement

noun
en·​gage·​ment in-ˈgāj-mənt How to pronounce engagement (audio)
1
a
: a promise to be present at a specified place and time
b
: employment especially for a stated time
the band had engagements in different towns
2
: pledge entry 1 sense 5, obligation
3
a
: the act of engaging : the state of being engaged
b
: an agreement to marry
also : the period during which one is pledged to be married
4
: the state of being meshed into a working arrangement in which one part drives another
5
: the state of being in conflict, opposition, or battle

Medical Definition

engagement

noun
en·​gage·​ment in-ˈgāj-mənt How to pronounce engagement (audio)
: the phase of childbirth in which the fetal head passes into the cavity of the true pelvis

More from Merriam-Webster on engagement

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about engagement

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