Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Engagement

Engagement , noun

[Compare French 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.
(Military) An action; a fight; a battle.
In hot engagement with the Moors. — Dryden
5.
(Machinery) The state of being in gear; as, one part of a clutch is brought into engagement with the other part.