appointment Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the act of putting a person into a non-elective position
    assignment; naming; designation.
    • the appointment had to be approved by the whole committee
  2. noun a meeting arranged in advance
    date; engagement.
    • she asked how to avoid kissing at the end of a date
  3. noun (usually plural) furnishings and equipment (especially for a ship or hotel)
    fitting.
  4. noun a person who is appointed to a job or position
    appointee.
  5. noun the job to which you are (or hope to be) appointed
    • he applied for an appointment in the treasury
  6. noun (law) the act of disposing of property by virtue of the power of appointment
    • she allocated part of the trust to her church by appointment

WordNet

Ap*point"ment noun
Etymology
Cf. F. appointement.
Definitions
  1. The act of appointing; designation of a person to hold an office or discharge a trust; as, he erred by the appointment of unsuitable men.
  2. The state of being appointed to som service or office; an office to which one is appointed; station; position; an, the appointment of treasurer.
  3. Stipulation; agreement; the act of fixing by mutual agreement. Hence:: Arrangement for a meeting; engagement; as, they made an appointment to meet at six.
  4. Decree; direction; established order or constitution; as, to submit to the divine appointments.
    According to the appointment of the priests. Ezra vi. 9.
  5. (Law) The exercise of the power of designating (under a "power of appointment") a person to enjoy an estate or other specific property; also, the instrument by which the designation is made.
  6. Equipment, furniture, as for a ship or an army; whatever is appointed for use and management; outfit; (pl.) the accouterments of military officers or soldiers, as belts, sashes, swords.
    The cavaliers emulated their chief in the richness of their appointments. Prescott.
    I'll prove it in my shackles, with these hands Void of appoinment, that thou liest. Beau. & Fl.
  7. An allowance to a person, esp. to a public officer; a perquisite; -- properly only in the plural. Obs.
    An expense proportioned to his appointments and fortune is necessary. Chesterfield.
  8. A honorary part or exercise, as an oration, etc., at a public exhibition of a college; as, to have an appointment. U.S. Syn. -- Designation; command; order; direction; establishment; equipment.

Webster 1913