commitment

/kəˈmɪtmənt/
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A promise or duty that binds future action, a lasting dedication to someone or something, and in formal use an order or act of committing a person or matter.

Examples

  • His commitment to the team never wavered.
  • Years of practice proved her commitment to the violin.
  • The committee clerk recorded the bill's commitment for review.
  • The lawyer challenged the patient's commitment in court.
  • Civil commitment requires review by the court.

Similar words

detention
fidelityassurance
promise
pledge
responsibility
referral
dedication
devotion
resolve

Meanings

Promise or obligation

noun
everyday
neutral
A promise, duty, or responsibility that ties someone to future action, money, time, or care.

Usage

Use commitment for a promise or duty that creates a real obligation, especially one involving time, money, work, or care.

Examples

  • The charity asked for a monthly commitment from donors.
  • Buying a house is a serious financial commitment.
  • I have a family commitment on Friday night.
  • The mayor made a public commitment to repair the bridge.
  • Before joining the board, she considered the time commitment.
  • The contract records each party's commitment to deliver materials.

Common mistakes

Commitment to do is sometimes replaced by the weaker or less natural commitment for doing.
IncorrectCorrect
The company made a commitment for reducing waste. The company made a commitment to reduce waste.
I have a commitment with pay the loan. I have a commitment to pay the loan.
She commitment to attend every meeting. She made a commitment to attend every meeting.
The dinner is a commitment, so I cannot pay it. The dinner is an expense, so I cannot pay it.

Similar words

Dedication and loyalty

noun
personal
neutral
Steady loyalty to a person, belief, job, or cause, shown by sustained effort rather than a single promise.

Usage

Use commitment when the focus is long-term dedication, not merely agreeing once or liking an idea.

Examples

  • Her commitment to teaching shaped the whole school.
  • The volunteers showed real commitment during the flood.
  • His commitment to the team never wavered.
  • The campaign depends on public commitment to cleaner energy.
  • Years of practice proved her commitment to the violin.
  • The group admired his quiet commitment to justice.

Common mistakes

Commitment with is often used where idiomatic English needs commitment to.
IncorrectCorrect
Her commitment with teaching inspired us. Her commitment to teaching inspired us.
He has commitment for the team. He has commitment to the team.
The workers did the job with commitmented. The workers did the job with commitment.
A short interest in justice is a commitment. A sustained devotion to justice is a commitment.

Similar words

Official committing

noun
legal
formal
The formal act or order that sends someone to prison, hospital, or treatment, or that refers a matter for official consideration.

Usage

Use commitment in this sense for legal or institutional procedure, especially in phrases such as civil commitment or commitment order.

Examples

  • The judge signed a commitment order after the hearing.
  • The statute sets rules for involuntary commitment.
  • The lawyer challenged the patient's commitment in court.
  • The prison received the commitment papers that afternoon.
  • Civil commitment requires review by the court.
  • The committee clerk recorded the bill's commitment for review.

Common mistakes

Commitment in court papers is sometimes confused with an ordinary promise.
IncorrectCorrect
The judge's commitment was a promise to help the patient. The judge's commitment was an order to place the patient in treatment.
The hospital gave him commitment. The court ordered his commitment to the hospital.
The bill received a commitment to pass tomorrow. The bill received commitment to a committee for review.
After release, the prison issued a commitment order. Before confinement, the court issued a commitment order.

Similar words

Usage

Use commitment for a serious promise, duty, or sustained dedication, and reserve the legal sense for formal orders or institutional procedure.

Common mistakes

Commitment to is the usual pattern for promises and dedication, while commitment with is usually not idiomatic in English.

Etymology

Built from commit and the noun-forming suffix -ment, with early use for the act of committing someone or something to a charge, custody, or trust.

FAQ

What does commitment mean?

Commitment means a serious promise, duty, or lasting dedication to someone or something.

Is commitment always about relationships?

No. Commitment can describe relationships, work, money, contracts, public promises, and formal legal orders.

What is a financial commitment?

A financial commitment is a promise or obligation to pay, invest, or support something with money.

What does commitment mean in law?

In law, commitment can mean an order or process that places someone in prison, hospital, or treatment.

Can commitment mean dedication?

Yes. Commitment often means steady loyalty or effort toward a job, belief, person, or cause.

Is commitment the same as commit in software?

No. Version control normally uses commit as the noun, not commitment.

Which preposition follows commitment?

Commitment to is the normal pattern, as in commitment to safety or commitment to pay.

What are synonyms for commitment?

Depending on the sense, synonyms include pledge, promise, obligation, dedication, devotion, and loyalty.

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