engagement Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
battle; conflict; fight.
- Grant won a decisive victory in the battle of Chickamauga
- he lost his romantic ideas about war when he got into a real engagement
noun a meeting arranged in advance
date; appointment.
- she asked how to avoid kissing at the end of a date
noun a mutual promise to marry
betrothal; troth.
noun the act of giving someone a job
employment.
noun employment for performers or performing groups that lasts for a limited period of time
booking.
- the play had bookings throughout the summer
noun contact by fitting together
meshing; mesh; interlocking.
- the engagement of the clutch
- the meshing of gears
noun the act of sharing in the activities of a group
involution; involvement; participation.
- the teacher tried to increase his students' engagement in class activities

Cf. F. engagement.

The act of engaging, pledging, enlisting, occupying, or entering into contest.
The state of being engaged, pledged or occupied; specif., a pledge to take some one as husband or wife.
That which engages; engrossing occupation; employment of the attention; obligation by pledge, promise, or contract; an enterprise embarked in; as, his engagements prevented his acceptance of any office.
Religion, which is the chief engagement of our league. Milton.
(Mil.) An action; a fight; a battle.
In hot engagement with the Moors. Dryden.
(Mach.) The state of being in gear; as, one part of a clutch is brought into engagement with the other part. Syn. -- Vocation; business; employment; occupation; promise; stipulation; betrothal; word; battle; combat; fight; contest; conflict. See Battle.