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commit

Pronunciation: /kəˈmɪt/
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Definition of commit

verb (commits, committing, committed)

[with object]
  • 1perpetrate or carry out (a mistake, crime, or immoral act):he committed an uncharacteristic error
  • 2pledge or bind (a person or an organization) to a certain course or policy:they were reluctant to commit themselves to an opinion [with object and infinitive]:the treaty commits each party to defend the other [no object]:try it out before you commit to a purchase
  • (be committed to) be dedicated to (something):we are committed to the fundamental principles of democracy
  • pledge or set aside (resources) for future use:manufacturers will have to commit substantial funds to developing new engines
  • (commit oneself to) resolve to remain in a long-term emotional relationship with (someone):she didn’t love him enough to commit herself to him [no object]:once I commit I tend to get scared
  • (be committed to) be in a long-term emotional relationship with (someone): she loved a man who was committed to another woman
  • 3 (commit something to) transfer something to (a state or place where it can be kept or preserved):he composed a letter but didn’t commit it to paper she committed each tiny feature to memory
  • consign (someone) officially to prison, especially on remand:he was committed to prison for contempt of court
  • send (a person or case) for trial in a higher court:the magistrate decided to commit him for trial
  • send (someone) to be confined in a psychiatric hospital: you guys would have had me committed
  • refer (a parliamentary or legislative bill) to a committee.

Derivatives

committable

adjective

committer

noun

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin committere 'join, entrust' (in medieval Latin 'put into custody'), from com- 'with' + mittere 'put or send'

Spelling rule

If a verb ends with a single vowel plus a consonant, and the stress is at the end of the word (as in refer), double the last letter when adding -ing or -ed: (commits, committing, committed).

commit in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of commit in the US English dictionary
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