engagement
NounWordNet 3.0
Noun (7)
- a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war“Grant won a decisive victory in the battle of Chickamauga”“he lost his romantic ideas about war when he got into a real engagement”Synonyms: battleconflictfight
- a meeting arranged in advance“she asked how to avoid kissing at the end of a date”Synonyms: dateappointment
- a mutual promise to marrySynonyms: betrothaltroth
- the act of giving someone a jobSynonyms: employment
- employment for performers or performing groups that lasts for a limited period of time“the play had bookings throughout the summer”Synonyms: booking
- contact by fitting together“the engagement of the clutch”“the meshing of gears”Synonyms: meshmeshinginterlocking
- the act of sharing in the activities of a group“the teacher tried to increase his students' engagement in class activities”Synonyms: participationinvolvementinvolution
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
1.The act of engaging, pledging, enlisting, occupying, or entering into contest. [1913 Webster]
2.The state of being engaged, pledged or occupied; specif., a pledge to take some one as husband or wife. [1913 Webster]
3.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. [1913 Webster]
Religion, which is the chief engagement of our league.— Milton.[1913 Webster]
4.(Mil.) An action; a fight; a battle. [1913 Webster]
In hot engagement with the Moors.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]
5.(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. [1913 Webster]