engagement

Universal Words noun before marriage 1 [C] ~ (to sb) an agreement to marry sb; the period during which two people are engaged: Their engagement was announced in the local paper. * She has broken off her engagement to Charles. * an engagement party * a long / short engagement arrangement to do sth 2 [C] an arrangement to do sth at a particular time, especially sth official or sth connected with your job: an engagement book / diary * He has a number of social engagements next week. * It was her first official engagement. * I had to refuse because of a prior engagement. fighting 3 [C,U] (technical) fighting between two armies, etc: The general tried to avoid an engagement with the enemy. being involved 4 [U] ~ (with sb/sth) (formal) being involved with sb/sth in an attempt to understand them/it: Her views are based on years of engagement with the problems of the inner city. employment 5 [U,C] (BrE) an arrangement to employ sb; the process of employing sb: The terms of engagement are to be agreed in writing.