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

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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.
Features that hold a child's attention and increase engagement are frequently mistaken for fostering genuine learning, the report found. — Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026 And props are improvised so that pool noodles are used for jousting and an earbud case serves as an engagement ring. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026 The system completed a year of testing aboard the German frigate Sachsen, during which its tracking, command, and engagement technologies were evaluated under maritime conditions. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026 Packages include 12 hours of rental time, planning consultation, tables and chairs, event setup and tear down, on-site support staff and use of the property for engagement photos. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 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 6 Sep. 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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