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commit

verb
com·​mit | \ kÉ™-ˈmit How to pronounce commit (audio) \
committed; committing

Definition of commit

transitive verb

1 : to carry into action deliberately : perpetrate commit a crime commit a sin
2a : obligate, bind a contract committing the company to complete the project on time in a committed relationship
b : to pledge or assign to some particular course or use commit all troops to the attack
c : to reveal the views of refused to commit himself on the issue
3a : to put into charge or trust : entrust … commit all executive, legislative, and judicial powers to one man …— Arthur T. Vanderbilt
b : to place in a prison or mental institution The patient was committed by the court to a mental hospital. He was committed to the state penitentiary for 10 years
c : to consign or record for preservation commit it to memory
d : to put into a place for disposal or safekeeping The chaplain committed the sailor's body to the deep.
e : to refer (something, such as a legislative bill) to a committee for consideration and report

intransitive verb

1 : to obligate or pledge oneself
2 obsolete : to perpetrate an offense
Other Words from commit Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about commit

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Other Words from commit

committable \ kÉ™-​ˈmi-​tÉ™-​bÉ™l How to pronounce committable (audio) \ adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for commit

commit, entrust, confide, consign, relegate mean to assign to a person or place for a definite purpose. commit may express the general idea of delivering into another's charge or the special sense of transferring to a superior power or to a special place of custody. committed the felon to prison entrust implies committing with trust and confidence. the president is entrusted with broad powers confide implies entrusting with great assurance or reliance. confided complete control of my affairs to my attorney consign suggests removing from one's control with formality or finality. consigned the damaging notes to the fire relegate implies a consigning to a particular class or sphere often with a suggestion of getting rid of. relegated to an obscure position in the company

Examples of commit in a Sentence

The massacre was committed by the rebel army. The contract commits the company to finishing the bridge by next fall. He keeps delaying his decision because he doesn't want to commit himself. They have not yet committed to a particular course of action.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Gregg Berhalter has a style of play he's committed to for the U.S. men's national team, and that means persevering through setbacks when the outcome is anything but desired. — Brian Straus, SI.com, "Despite Struggles, USMNT Still Insists on Sticking to Its Style, Tactical Approach," 7 Sep. 2019 At the time Jo signed on, his father said he was fully committed. — Stephen Castle, New York Times, "Shakespearean? Freudian? Jo Johnson, Prime Minister’s Brother, Quits Parliament," 5 Sep. 2019 In an interview this summer, Balash said he was committed to working with Alaska natives on the North Slope to ensure that the region could expand energy exploration in a way that would improve people's lives there. — Anchorage Daily News, "Alaskan in Trump administration who pushed to expand drilling will join oil company," 4 Sep. 2019 Camp Crystal Lake becomes a hotbed of violence after an anonymous serial killer commits a series of gruesome murders. — Cady Drell, Marie Claire, "The Best '80s Horror Movies That Are Still Terrifying Today," 4 Sep. 2019 He was already committed to his job with a local parish. — Jamie Swinnerton, Houston Chronicle, "Rev. Randall Trego leads with listening as director of spiritual care for Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital," 30 Aug. 2019 Prevent these beleaguering effects from occurring in the first place by drinking plenty of water and committing to an in-flight beauty regimen. — Andrea Cheng, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Best Skin Care Routine For Your Next Flight: A Step-By-Step Guide," 30 Aug. 2019 The company said 50 retail chains, representing 40,000 stores, have committed to complying with the standards set by the point-of-sale system. — Catherine Ho, SFChronicle.com, "Juul commits $100 million to new cash register system that blocks underage, bulk sales," 29 Aug. 2019 Investors committed to being socially conscious have more choices than ever and can expect similar returns to traditional investors. — Sandra Woien, The Conversation, "Should investors buy marijuana stocks?," 29 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'commit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of commit

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3a

History and Etymology for commit

Middle English committen "to give in trust (to), delegate authority (to), engage in," borrowed from Anglo-French committer, commettre, going back to Latin committere "to join together, engage, place in the keeping of, entrust, bring about, carry out (a crime)," from com- com- + mittere "to release, let go, send (for a purpose)" — more at admit

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More Definitions for commit

commit

verb
How to pronounce commit (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of commit

: to do (something that is illegal or harmful)
: to decide to use (a person, money, etc.) for some particular purpose or use
: to say that (someone or something) will definitely do something : to make (someone or something) obligated to do something

See the full definition for commit in the English Language Learners Dictionary

commit

verb
com·​mit | \ kÉ™-ˈmit

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