engagement

/in'geidʤmənt/

Definition

Noun:
- A formal agreement to get married: A mutual promise between two people to marry each other.
- The act of being involved or participating: The state of being actively involved, interested, or committed to an activity, cause, or group.
- A period of employment or a specific job: A formal arrangement to employ someone or to perform work, often for a fixed period.
- A planned meeting or appointment: A social or professional arrangement to meet someone at a specific time.
- (Military) A battle or fight: A hostile encounter or conflict between opposing military forces.
- (Mechanical) The state of interlocking parts: The act of parts (like gears) fitting together and beginning to interact or function.

Usage Examples

As a formal agreement to marry:
- They announced their engagement at a family dinner.
- She wore a beautiful engagement ring.
As active involvement:
- The teacher praised the student's engagement in the discussion.
- Civic engagement is vital for a healthy democracy.
As a period of employment:
- The orchestra has a two-week engagement at the concert hall.
- His engagement as a consultant ended last month.
As a planned meeting:
- I have a prior engagement and cannot attend the meeting.
- Her calendar is full of social engagements.
As a military conflict:
- The naval engagement lasted for several hours.
- The general avoided a direct engagement with the enemy.
As a mechanical connection:
- The engagement of the clutch was smooth.
- Check the gear engagement before starting the machine.

Advanced Usage

"To break off an engagement": To end a promise to marry before the wedding occurs.
- She decided to break off the engagement after realizing their differences.
"Civic/Political/Community engagement": Active participation in the life of one's community or in political processes.
- The forum aims to increase political engagement among young voters.
"Employee engagement": The level of an employee's emotional commitment and involvement in their organization.
- High employee engagement often leads to better productivity.

Variants and Related Words

Engage (verb): To participate, to hire, to attract attention, or to enter into conflict.
- The museum's new exhibit engages visitors of all ages.
Engaged (adjective): Busy, occupied; having formally agreed to marry; involved in an activity.
- She is engaged to be married next spring.
- Please wait, the line is engaged.
Engaging (adjective): Charming, attractive, or pleasing.
- He has a very engaging personality.

Synonyms

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Engage in: To participate or become involved in an activity.
- He refuses to engage in gossip.
Engage with: To interact or connect with someone or something.
- A good teacher knows how to engage with students.

Related Idioms

"A prior engagement": A previously arranged commitment that prevents one from accepting a new invitation.
- I'd love to come, but I have a prior engagement.
"To be otherwise engaged": To be busy doing something else (often used as a polite refusal).
- I'm afraid the manager is otherwise engaged at the moment.

Noun

the act of sharing in the activities of a group
- the teacher tried to increase his students' engagement in class activities
contact by fitting together
- the engagement of the clutch
- the meshing of gears
employment for performers or performing groups that lasts for a limited period of time
- the play had bookings throughout the summer
the act of giving someone a job
a mutual promise to marry
a meeting arranged in advance
- she asked how to avoid kissing at the end of a date
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

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