ENGLISH
REFERENCE

commitment

n.
US //kəˈmɪtmənt// UK //kəmˈɪtmənt// com·mit·ment
  1. 1 a promise or obligation (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a promise or a firm decision to do something in the future.

    a pledge or undertaking to follow a particular course of action. Often used for financial or social obligations.

    Example

    I cannot come to the party because I have a prior commitment.

    Example

    The government reaffirmed its commitment to reducing carbon emissions by thirty percent over the next decade.

  2. 2 loyalty and dedication (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the hard work and loyalty that you give to an organisation, person, or activity.

    the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, or person. Uncountable when referring to the abstract trait of sincerity.

    Example

    The coach praised the players for their commitment to the team.

    Example

    Her lifelong commitment to social justice earned her several prestigious awards from international human rights organisations.

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  1. 3 performing an act (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Technical Law

    the act of doing something wrong or illegal, like a crime.

    the act of perpetrating a crime, error, or specific deed. Usually followed by 'of' and a noun phrase.

    Example

    The police are investigating the commitment of several robberies in the area.

    Example

    The jury must decide whether the defendant was present during the commitment of the felony or merely an accessory after the fact.

  2. 4 institutionalisation (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal Technical Law

    the act of sending someone to a hospital or prison.

    the official act of consigning a person to a mental healthcare facility or a correctional institution.

    Example

    The judge ordered his commitment to a psychiatric facility for evaluation.

    Example

    The legal requirements for involuntary commitment vary significantly across different jurisdictions, often requiring proof of immediate danger to self or others.

Origin

From commit + -ment.

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