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REFERENCE

appointment

n.
US //əˈpɔɪntmənt// UK //ɐpˈɔɪntmənt// ap·point·ment
  1. 1 a scheduled meeting (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    an arrangement to meet someone at a specific time and place.

    a formal arrangement to meet at a designated time and place, typically for professional, medical, or official purposes.

    Example

    I have a dentist appointment at three o'clock this afternoon.

    Example

    The consultant had to reschedule several morning appointments after her flight was delayed by heavy fog.

    Usage

    Commonly used with the verbs 'make', 'keep', 'break', or 'reschedule'.
    Pitfall
    I made an appointment with the dentist.
    I have an appointment with the dentist.

    While you 'make' an appointment (the action), you usually 'have' an appointment (the state).

  2. 2 choosing someone for a job (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

    the act of choosing someone for an official position or job.

    the act of designating a person for a non-elective office or position of responsibility.

    Example

    The president announced the appointment of a new judge today.

    Example

    The board's appointment of a new chief executive was met with approval from the majority of shareholders.

    Usage

    Often followed by the preposition 'of' (the person) or 'to' (the position).

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is much more formal than the 'meeting' sense and is common in news and business contexts.
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  1. 3 a professional position (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    a job or position that someone has been chosen for.

    the position or office to which a person has been appointed.

    Example

    She held a senior academic appointment at the university for ten years.

    Example

    His latest diplomatic appointment requires him to relocate to the embassy in Brussels for a three-year term.

    Usage

    Usually refers to high-level or prestigious roles in government, academia, or medicine.
  2. 4 fittings or equipment (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary Formal

    the furniture or decorations in a room or building.

    the equipment, furnishings, or decorative fittings of a place, especially when high-quality.

    Example

    The hotel was famous for its luxurious appointments and antique furniture.

    Example

    The yacht featured mahogany appointments and custom-made leather seating throughout the main cabin.

    Usage

    Almost always used in the plural form 'appointments'.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a rare, high-level sense often found in real estate descriptions or classic literature.
Origin

From Middle English appoyntement, apoyntement, from Old French appointement, equivalent to appoint + -ment.

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