# commitment

/kəˈmɪtmənt/ (US) · /kəmˈɪtmənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/commitment
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a promise or obligation

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- I cannot come to the party because I have a prior commitment.
- The government reaffirmed its commitment to reducing carbon emissions by thirty percent over the next decade.

### 2. loyalty and dedication

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The coach praised the players for their commitment to the team.
- Her lifelong commitment to social justice earned her several prestigious awards from international human rights organisations.

### 3. performing an act

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

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

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

- The police are investigating the commitment of several robberies in the area.
- The jury must decide whether the defendant was present during the commitment of the felony or merely an accessory after the fact.

### 4. institutionalisation

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

the act of sending someone to a hospital or prison.

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

- The judge ordered his commitment to a psychiatric facility for evaluation.
- The legal requirements for involuntary commitment vary significantly across different jurisdictions, often requiring proof of immediate danger to self or others.

## Examples

- She shows great commitment to her daily piano practice.
- Taking on a mortgage is a huge financial commitment that usually lasts for twenty or thirty years.
- The success of the peace treaty depends entirely on the genuine commitment of both parties to uphold the agreed-upon ceasefire despite historical grievances.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.