engagement

 
Pronunciation: /ɪnˈgeɪdʒm(ə)nt, ɛn-/

noun

  • 1a formal agreement to get married: she’d broken off her engagement to Paul
  • the duration of an agreement to get married: a good long engagement to give you time to be sure
  • 2an arrangement to do something or go somewhere at a fixed time: a dinner engagement
  • 3 [mass noun] the action of engaging or being engaged: Britain’s continued engagement in open trading
  • 4a fight or battle between armed forces: the war’s most significant engagements were fought to keep these sea lanes open

Origin:

early 17th century (in the general sense 'a legal or moral obligation'): French, from engager 'to pledge' (see engage)