1 : to separate from someone or something [no obj] ▪ The two dancers moved together in a series of quick movements before disengaging and leaping apart. [+ obj] — usually + from ▪ I was trying to disengage [=free] myself from the safety harness. 2 [no obj] : to stop being involved with a person or group : to stop taking part in something — usually + from ▪ He began to disengage [=(more commonly) withdraw] from the family when he was 15 or so. 3 : to move (a mechanism or part of a machine) so that it no longer fits into another part [+ obj] ▪ Put the car in gear, and then slowly disengage the clutch while pressing on the gas pedal. [no obj] ▪ If there is a malfunction, the gears will automatically disengage. — opposite engage 4 military : to order (a group of soldiers) to stop fighting and move away from an area [+ obj] ▪ The government says it will gradually disengage [=withdraw] soldiers from the region. [no obj] ▪ Troops in the area have begun to disengage. [=withdraw]