WordGarden.iorecommit
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /rˌiːkəmˈɪt/
US
- /ˌrikəˈmɪt/
Meanings
Verb
to commit yourself again to a person, goal, or course of action
to send a bill, motion, or other matter back to a committee for further consideration
to send someone back into prison, custody, or institutional care
More meaningsFewer meanings
to create a new replacement commit in version control after revising earlier changes
Beyond the definition
Sometimes life throws curveballs, and we drift off course. To recommit often means to give yourself to something again after doubt, delay, or distraction. It is like pressing reset on your effort and deciding once more that a goal, relationship, or path matters. You might recommit to your fitness plan after a long break, or a company might recommit to better customer service after criticism. It suggests a clear choice to start trying again with fresh focus.
But the word also has another use. In legal or medical settings, recommit can mean sending someone back to prison, to a hospital, or to another institution. In that sense, the idea is not about personal dedication, but about being placed back under care, control, or custody.
To recommit often means to give yourself again to a cause, goal, relationship, or belief after your effort has weakened or stopped for a while. It is more than simply continuing. The word usually suggests a clear, deliberate choice to begin again with renewed energy, attention, and purpose.
The "re-" part shows that this is not the first commitment, but a return to one that already existed. Maybe you planned to learn an instrument, lost motivation, and then decided to start practicing again. Maybe a leader recommits to serving the public after a difficult period, or a couple recommits to making their relationship work. In these cases, the word carries the feeling of returning with intention instead of just drifting back.
This use often appears when someone is responding to a setback, failure, or period of doubt. A team might recommit to its training after a losing streak. A person might recommit to sobriety, to a promise, or to caring for their health. The tone is usually serious and purposeful.
There is also an important official meaning. In legal, medical, and institutional contexts, recommit can mean to send someone back to prison, to a mental health facility, or to another place of custody or treatment. For example, a court might recommit a person to prison after a violation, or a judge might recommit someone to a hospital for further care. In this sense, the word is about returning someone to an earlier state of custody, supervision, or treatment.
So the word has two main stories. In everyday language, it often means choosing again to stand by something that matters to you. In official language, it can mean sending someone back under control or care. The exact meaning depends on the context.
Examples
- 1
Institutional promise
After the budget cuts, the school recommitted to keeping class sizes small.
- 2
Personal goal
At the start of the new year, she recommitted herself to exercising three times a week.
- Patternrecommit yourself to + activity
decide again to keep doing it
- 3
Political promise
In his speech, the president recommitted the country to working with its allies.
- Patternrecommit someone or something to + action/cause
formally promise again that they will support or continue it
See also
Similar
- rededicate
- renew one's commitment
- reaffirm
Shades of meaning
- double down
- repledge
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- recommit to a goal
- recommit yourself to
- recommit to the relationship
Word family
- recommitted
- commitment
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- recommitverb