Commit Meaning
/kəˈmɪt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo give in trust; to put into charge or keeping; to entrust; to consign; used with to or formerly unto.
verbTo imprison: to forcibly place in a jail.
Sentence Examples
Don't commit yourself to doing it within a week.
Bill did not commit the crime.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The suspect decided to ____ the crime under cover of darkness.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The manager asked his team to fully ____ to finishing the urgent project by Friday.
Word Origin & History
Inherited from Middle English committen, itself borrowed from Latin committō (“to bring together, join, compare, commit (a wrong), incur, give in charge, etc.”), from com- (“together”) + mittō (“to send”). See mission.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Bid him farwell, commit him to the Graue,"
— c. 1588–1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Lamentable Tragedy of Titus Andronicus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iii], page 52, column 1:
"Commit thy way vnto the Lord: trust also in him, and he shall bring it to passe."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalms 37:5:
"If we take in hand any Volume; of Divinity or School Metaphyſics, for Inſtance; let us aſk, Does it contain any abſtract Reaſonings concerning Quantity or Number? No. Does it contain any experimental Reaſonings concerning Matters of Fact or Exiſtence? No. Commit it then to the Flames: For it can contain nothing but Sophiſtry and Illuſion."
— 1748, [David Hume], “Essay XII. Of the Academical or Sceptical Philosophy.”, in Philosophical Essays Concerning Human Understanding, London: […] A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, part III, page 256:
"That, as one of my more sceptical industry insiders put it, is because there is a reluctance to commit funds to any of these plans - and we can put the blame firmly on the fact that HS2 is eating up £7bn per year for the whole term of this parliament."
— 2026 March 18, Christian Wolmar, “Wales sets example with long-term rail strategy”, in RAIL, number 1057, page 43:
"and ſome of the Conſpirators committed to the Caſtle of Dublin by us"
— 1641, A Great Conspiracy by the Papiſts in the Kingdome of Ireland, Diſcovered by the Lords Juſtices, and Counſell at Dublin, and Proclaimed There Octob. 23, 1641, page 2:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The suspect decided to ____ the crime under cover of darkness.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The manager asked his team to fully ____ to finishing the urgent project by Friday.