com ‧ mit ‧ ment S2 W2 /kəˈmɪtmənt/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: adjective : noncommital, ↑ committed ≠ ↑ uncommitted ; verb : ↑ commit ; noun : ↑ commitment ]
1 . [countable] a promise to do something or to behave in a particular way:
Are you ready to make a long-term commitment?
commitment to
Our company has a commitment to quality and customer service.
2 . [uncountable] the hard work and loyalty that someone gives to an organization, activity etc:
I was impressed by the energy and commitment shown by the players.
commitment to
Her commitment to work is beyond question.
3 . [countable] something that you have promised you will do or that you have to do:
Will the job fit in with your family commitments?
4 . [countable] an amount of money that you have to pay regularly:
I had a lot of financial commitments.
5 . [uncountable and countable] the use of money, time, people etc for a particular purpose:
commitments of food and medical aid of over $4 billion
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meanings 1 & 2)
■ verbs
▪ make a commitment
Getting married involves making a serious commitment.
▪ give a commitment
The government gave a commitment to withdraw all its forces.
▪ something requires/demands (a) commitment
Nursing as a profession demands genuine commitment.
▪ honour/meet a commitment (=do what you promised to do)
Will they honour their commitment to a ceasefire?
▪ show/demonstrate commitment
Throughout her life she demonstrated her deep commitment to the needs of the poor.
▪ lack commitment
I never get promoted because they think I lack commitment.
▪ reaffirm/restate/reiterate a commitment (=give a promise again)
They reaffirmed their commitment to abandon nuclear power.
■ adjectives
▪ real/genuine commitment
The job demands real commitment to teaching.
▪ personal commitment
As a company, we expect a personal commitment from our staff to do their best.
▪ strong commitment
She's known for her strong commitment to women's rights.
▪ long-term commitment
Having a child together involves a long-term commitment.
▪ a lifelong commitment
Marriage is a lifelong commitment.
▪ full/total commitment
Such therapies demand full commitment from the patient.
▪ political commitment
There was no local political commitment to the proposal.
▪ religious commitment
Many people have ceased to have any active religious commitment.
■ phrases
▪ a lack of commitment
His lack of commitment to the project was easy to see.
▪ a level of commitment
This post demands a high level of commitment.