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| n. 1. a. The action of engaging or the state of being engaged: engagement in diplomacy. b. The condition of being in working position: engagement of the transmission. 2. a. A mutual promise to get married. b. The period during which this promise is kept: a long engagement. 3. A pledge or obligation: meeting one's engagements. 4. A promise or agreement to be at a particular place at a particular time: a dinner engagement. 5. a. Employment, especially for a specified time: his engagement with the firm. b. A specific, often limited, period of employment: a speaking engagement. 6. A hostile encounter; a battle or skirmish. Synonyms: engagement, appointment, assignation, date1, rendezvous, tryst These nouns denote a commitment to appear at a certain time and place: a business engagement; a dental appointment; a secret assignation; a date to play tennis; a rendezvous of agents at the border; a lovers' tryst. |
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