engaged Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. verb carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
   pursue; prosecute; engage.
   
   • She pursued many activities
   • They engaged in a discussion
2. verb consume all of one's attention or time
   engross; absorb; engage; occupy.
   
   • Her interest in butterflies absorbs her completely
3. verb engage or hire for work
   employ; hire; engage.
   
   • They hired two new secretaries in the department
   • How many people has she employed?
4. verb ask to represent; of legal counsel
   engage.
   
   • I'm retaining a lawyer
5. verb give to in marriage
   plight; betroth; affiance; engage.
   
6. verb get caught
   engage.
   
   • make sure the gear is engaged
7. verb carry on (wars, battles, or campaigns)
   wage; engage.
   
   • Napoleon and Hitler waged war against all of Europe
8. verb hire for work or assistance
   engage; enlist.
   
   • engage aid, help, services, or support
9. verb engage for service under a term of contract
   hire; engage; charter; take; lease; rent.
   
   • We took an apartment on a quiet street
   • Let's rent a car
   • Shall we take a guide in Rome?
10. verb keep engaged
    lock; engage; mesh; operate.
    
    • engaged the gears
11. adjective satellite having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
    occupied.
    
    • she keeps herself fully occupied with volunteer activities
    • deeply engaged in conversation
12. adjective satellite involved in military hostilities
    
    • the desperately engaged ships continued the fight
13. adjective satellite reserved in advance
    booked; set-aside.
    
14. adjective satellite (of facilities such as telephones or lavatories) unavailable for use by anyone else or indicating unavailability; (`engaged' is a British term for a busy telephone line)
    busy; in use.
    
    • her line is busy
    • receptionists' telephones are always engaged
    • the lavatory is in use
    • kept getting a busy signal
15. adjective satellite (used of toothed parts or gears) interlocked and interacting
    meshed; intermeshed.
    
    • the gears are engaged
    • meshed gears
    • intermeshed twin rotors
16. adjective satellite having services contracted for
    
    • the carpenter engaged (or employed) for the job is sick
17. adjective satellite built against or attached to a wall
    
    • engaged columns

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