En‐gage″ment (?), n. [Cf. F. engagement.] 1. The act of engaging, pledging, enlisting, occupying, or entering into contest.
2. The state of being engaged, pledged or occupied; specif., a pledge to take some one as husband or wife.
3. That which engages; engrossing occupation; employment of the attention; obligation by pledge, promise, or contract; an enterprise embarked in; as, his engagements prevented his acceptance of any office.
Religion, which is the chief engagement of our league. Milton.
4. (Mil.) An action; a fight; a battle.
In hot engagement with the Moors. Dryden.
5. (Mach.) The state of being in gear; as, one part of a clutch is brought into engagement with the other part.
Syn. — Vocation; business; employment; occupation; promise; stipulation; betrothal; word; battle; combat; fight; contest; conflict. See Battle.