commit

[kuh-mit]

verb (used with object)

committed, committing 

1. to do; perform; perpetrate.

   to commit murder; to commit an error.

   Synonyms: execute, effect

2. to pledge (oneself ) to a position on an issue or question; express (one's intention, feeling, etc.).

   Asked if he was a candidate, he refused to commit himself.

3. to bind or obligate, as by pledge or assurance; pledge.

   to commit oneself to a promise; to be committed to a course of action.

4. to consign for preservation.

   to commit ideas to writing; to commit a poem to memory.

5. to give in trust or charge, especially for safekeeping; consign; commend: Every summer we were committed to babysitters and camp counselors.

   to commit one's soul to God;

   Every summer we were committed to babysitters and camp counselors.

6. to consign to custody.

   to commit a delinquent to a juvenile detention center.

7. to place in a mental institution or hospital by or as if by legal authority.

   He was committed by court order on the recommendation of two psychiatrists.

8. to deliver for treatment, disposal, etc.; relegate.

   to commit a manuscript to the flames.

9. to send into a battle.

   The commander has committed all his troops to the front lines.

10. Parliamentary Procedure.,  to refer (a bill or the like) to a committee for consideration.

verb (used without object)

committed, committing 

1. to bind or obligate oneself, as by pledge or assurance; devote or engage oneself to a person or thing: If he hasn’t committed after eight years, he’s never going to marry you.

   She is an athlete who commits to the highest standards.

   If he hasn’t committed after eight years, he’s never going to marry you.

commit

/ kəˈmɪt /

verb

1. to hand over, as for safekeeping; charge; entrust

   to commit a child to the care of its aunt

2. to learn by heart; memorize

3. to confine officially or take into custody

   to commit someone to prison

4. (usually passive) to pledge or align (oneself), as to a particular cause, action, or attitude

   a committed radical

5. to order (forces) into action

6. to perform (a crime, error, etc); do; perpetrate

7. to surrender, esp for destruction

   she committed the letter to the fire

8. to refer (a bill, etc) to a committee of a legislature

Other Word Forms

• committer noun
• committable adjective
• noncommitted adjective
• precommit verb (used with object)
• uncommit verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of commit¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English committen, from Anglo-French committer or directly from Latin committere, equivalent to com- “with, together, completely” + mittere “to send, give over”; com-

Word History and Origins

Origin of commit¹

C14: from Latin committere to join, from com- together + mittere to put, send

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. com·mit su·i·cide, to intentionally end one’s own life.

Example Sentences

“We remain committed to developing safe AI systems that help people and organizations extend their capabilities, advance scientific discovery, and solve complex problems.”

From Los Angeles Times

The state Commission on Judicial Performance said Jeffrey G. Bennett committed 28 acts of misconduct that violated the state Code of Judicial Ethics.

From Los Angeles Times

She was not found to have committed a criminal offence.

From BBC

Would Sir Keir commit to appointing a new deputy leader to the position of deputy prime minister as well?

From BBC

The White House said Japan has committed to buying $8bn worth of US goods a year - including agricultural products, fertilisers and bioethanol.

From BBC

Related Words

• allocate 
• charge 
• engage 
• give 
• hold 
• invest 
• offer 
• promise 
• send