commitment
Americannoun
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the act of committing.
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the state of being committed.
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the act of committing, pledging, or engaging oneself.
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a pledge or promise; obligation.
We have made a commitment to pay our bills on time.
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They have a sincere commitment to religion.
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perpetration or commission, as of a crime.
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consignment, as to prison.
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confinement to a mental institution or hospital.
The psychiatrist recommended commitment.
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an order, as by a court or judge, confining a person to a mental institution or hospital.
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Law. a written order of a court directing that someone be confined in prison; mittimus.
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Parliamentary Procedure. the act of referring or entrusting to a committee for consideration.
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Stock Exchange.
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an agreement to buy or sell securities.
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a sale or purchase of securities.
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noun
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the act of committing or pledging
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the state of being committed or pledged
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an obligation, promise, etc that restricts one's freedom of action
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the referral of a bill to a committee or legislature
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Also called (esp formerly): mittimus. law a written order of a court directing that a person be imprisoned
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the official consignment of a person to a mental hospital or prison
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commission or perpetration, esp of a crime
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a future financial obligation or contingent liability
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of commitment
Explanation
Making a commitment involves dedicating yourself to something, like a person or a cause. Before you make a commitment, think carefully. A commitment obligates you to do something. Some commitments are large, like marriage. When you take a job, you're making a commitment to show up and do the job well, and your employer makes a commitment to pay you. There are smaller commitments too. If you said you'd meet a friend at six, that's a commitment — show up or your friend will be mad. You also can speak of commitment as a quality. Staying after school for a study group shows your commitment to good grades.
Vocabulary lists containing commitment
Starting Your New Life: Inspiring Words from Commencement Speeches
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"Creativity at Work" and "The Hidden Secrets of the Creative Mind"
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History is made in PA: Clinton's DNC Acceptance Speech
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
ING economist James Knightley said Warsh’s commitment to price stability has helped dispel fears about the politicization of the Fed.
From Barron's • Jul. 1, 2026
“These efforts reflect our ongoing commitment to help reduce the risk of disruptive parties, and we are seeing positive results,” Airbnb said in a statement on its website.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026
Burnham's allies hope his presence in the city would be a strong symbol of his commitment to devolve power away from Westminster.
From BBC • Jun. 30, 2026
As of Monday, the U.S. had doubled its aid commitment to $300 million, including $100 million for the U.N.-led international response.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026
His charisma, his genuine commitment, even his nest—all these things became suspect.
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
