Engagement \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)