First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
commit
verb com·mit \kə-ˈmit\
: 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
com·mit·tedcom·mit·ting
Full Definition of COMMIT
transitive verb
1
2
: to carry into action deliberately : perpetrate <commit a crime>
3
intransitive verb
1
obsolete : to perpetrate an offense
2
: to obligate or pledge oneself
— com·mit·ta·ble \-ˈmi-tə-bəl\ adjective
See commit defined for English-language learners
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Origin of COMMIT
Middle English committen, from Anglo-French committer, from Latin committere to connect, entrust, from com- + mittere to send
Related to COMMIT
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
Rhymes with COMMIT
a bit, acquit, admit, armpit, backfit, base hit, befit, bowsprit, bushtit, catch it, cesspit, close-knit, cockpit, cool it, culprit, cut it, demit, dimwit, dog it, do it, emit, firelit, fleapit, gaslit, get it, gill slit, godwit, hack it, half-wit, hard-hit, henbit, house-sit, legit, lit crit, make it, mess kit, misfit, mishit, moonlit, mosh pit, nitwit, no-hit, obit, omit, outfit, outwit, owe it, peewit, permit, pinch-hit, Prakrit, press kit, pulpit, refit, remit, rough it, sandpit, Sanskrit, scratch hit, snakebit, snake pit, starlit, stock split, submit, sunlit, switch-hit, tar pit, tidbit, tight-knit, tomtit, to wit, transmit, turnspit, twilit, two-bit, unfit, unknit, warp knit, watch it, weft knit, well-knit
COMMITTED Defined for Kids
commit
verb com·mit \kə-ˈmit\
com·mit·tedcom·mit·ting
Definition of COMMIT for Kids
1
: to bring about : perform <commit a crime>
2
: to make secure or put in safekeeping : entrust <“… I must commit a friend's life to your discretion.” — Robert Louis Stevenson, Kidnapped>
3
: to place in or send to a prison or mental hospital
4
: to pledge to do some particular thing <When asked if he would volunteer, he wouldn't commit himself.>
— com·mit·ment \-mənt\ noun
Medical Dictionary
commit
transitive verb com·mit \kə-ˈmit\
com·mit·tedcom·mit·ting
Medical Definition of COMMIT
: to place in a prison or mental institution <a patient committed by the court to a state hospital>
—com·mit·ta·ble \-ˈmit-ə-bəl\ adjective
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