engage
2 ENTRIES FOUND:
engages;
engaged;
engaging
engages;
engaged;
engaging
Britannica Dictionary definition of ENGAGE
1
[+ object]
formal
:
to hire (someone) to perform a particular service
:
to pay for (help, services, etc.)
-
He was engaged as a tutor.
-
I suggest you engage the services of a lawyer. [=I suggest you hire a lawyer]
2
[+ object]
:
to get and keep (someone's attention, interest, etc.)
-
He sure can engage an audience.
-
The story engaged my interest.
3
:
to start fighting against (an opponent)
—
opposite disengage
[+ object]
-
The troops prepared to engage the enemy.
[no object]
(formal)
-
The troops prepared to engage with the enemy.
4
:
to move (a mechanism or part of a machine) so that it fits into another part
—
opposite disengage
[+ object]
-
He engaged the clutch and drove away.
[no object]
-
As I released the clutch, the gears engaged.
engage in
[phrasal verb]
1
engage in (something)
:
to do (something)
-
At college she engaged in various sports.
-
We don't engage in that sort of behavior.
2
engage (someone) in (something)
:
to cause (someone) to take part in (something)
-
She engaged him in conversation. [=she started a conversation with him]
engage with
[phrasal verb]
engage with (someone or something)
formal
:
to give serious attention to (someone or something)
:
to become involved with (someone or something)
-
The book fails to engage with the problems of our time.
-
a teacher who will not engage with the students
