Engagement vs Engagement ceremony

Both 'engagement' and 'engagement ceremony' are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. 'Engagement' refers to the act of getting engaged or the period leading up to marriage, while 'engagement ceremony' specifically refers to a formal event or ritual to mark the engagement.

Last updated: March 19, 2024 • 1072 views

Engagement

The term 'engagement' is correct and commonly used to refer to the act of getting engaged or the period leading up to marriage.

You can use 'engagement' to talk about the commitment to marry someone or the period between the proposal and the wedding.

Examples:

Their engagement lasted for a year before they got married.
She announced her engagement to her family and friends.

Show examples from the web [+]

Engagement for the support of developing countries tax systems
Furthermore, several parties are not observing the Goma Act of Engagement signed in January 2008.
Engagement looks set for the honourable Ruth Elms, Daughter of Lord Elms of Framlingham, to this eligible young bachelor.
The Dundie Award for Longest Engagement goes to Pam Beesly. Pam, everybody!
Flores volunteered for the Female Engagement Team last year.
Calling the Sontaran Command Ship under Jurisdiction Two of the Intergalactic Rules of Engagement.
Gentlemen, these are your Rules of Engagement.
Rules of Engagement says we cannot touch them.
In 1985, Vietnam's Rules of Engagement were declassified.
The Rules of Engagement are approved.
The Union should employ the approach and principles of the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States.
Engagement at national, regional and local level is necessary if real progress is to be made.
That's "Rules of Engagement."
It is expected that the Participants will not break the No Derogations Engagement set out in Article 40 nor otherwise depart from the rules of the Arrangement.
The Rules of Engagement required for the preparatory phase of EUMAM RCA shall be approved by the Council as soon as possible after the adoption of this Decision.
On 9 February 2015, the Council approved the Rules of Engagement of EUMAM RCA.
This authorisation shall include the powers to amend the planning documents, including the Operation Plan, the Chain of Command and the Rules of Engagement.
Rules of Engagement needed for the preparatory phase of EUFOR RCA shall be approved by the Council as soon as possible after the adoption of this Decision.
The Decision to launch EUFOR RCA shall be adopted by the Council following approval of the Operation Plan and of the Rules of Engagement necessary for the execution of the mandate.
On 17 March 2014, the Council approved the Operation Plan and the Rules of Engagement of EUFOR RCA.

Alternatives:

betrothal
promise to marry
fiancé/ fiancée
pre-wedding period
commitment to marry

Engagement ceremony

The term 'engagement ceremony' is correct and is used to refer to a formal event or ritual to mark the engagement.

You can use 'engagement ceremony' when referring to a specific event or ritual that celebrates the engagement between two people.