Definition

1. Noun: - A formal promise or commitment: A serious and binding declaration to do, give, or not do something. - Something given as security for a debt or obligation: An item of value deposited to guarantee the fulfillment of a promise, especially the repayment of a loan. - A token or sign of something: Something that serves as evidence or a guarantee of a feeling, intention, or fact. - A toast or drink in honor of someone: The act of drinking to someone's health or in celebration of an event. - A person accepted conditionally: Someone, like a prospective member, who has been accepted but not yet formally admitted into a group.

2. Verb: - To promise solemnly or formally: To make a serious and often public commitment. - To bind by a promise: To commit someone, including oneself, to a specific course of action. - To give as a guarantee or security: To offer something valuable as collateral for a loan or promise. - To make a charitable commitment: To promise to pay a regular amount of money to a cause or organization. - To drink to the health of: To honor someone with a toast.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • She made a pledge to donate a portion of her salary to charity. (A formal promise)
  • He left his watch as a pledge for the loan. (An item given as security)
  • This gift is a pledge of my good faith. (A token or guarantee)
  • We drank a pledge to the newlyweds. (A toast)

• Verb:

  • I pledge allegiance to the flag. (To promise solemnly)
  • They were pledged to secrecy. (Bound by a promise)
  • He pledged his house as collateral for the business loan. (To give as security)
  • Thousands of viewers pledge money during the telethon. (To commit to charitable payment)
  • Let us pledge the success of our venture. (To drink a toast to)

Advanced Usage

• "To take/sign the pledge": To make a formal promise, historically to abstain from alcohol.

  • In the 19th century, many people took the pledge.

• "Under pledge of": Bound by a promise of.

  • The information was given under pledge of confidentiality.

Variants and Related Words

• Pledgor (n): A person who gives something as a pledge or security.
• Pledgee (n): A person who receives something as a pledge or security.

Synonyms

• Noun: Promise, vow, oath, commitment, guarantee, collateral, security, toast.
• Verb: Vow, swear, promise, commit, guarantee, toast, drink (to).

Related Phrasal Verbs

(The word "pledge" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its meaning is typically conveyed as a standalone verb.)

Related Idioms

• "Pledge one's honor/troth/word": To make a very serious promise, staking one's reputation on it.

  • He pledged his honor that the task would be completed.

• "In pledge": Given as security; in a state of being held as collateral.

  • The family jewels were in pledge at the bank.

Noun

1. a binding commitment to do or give or refrain from something
   • an assurance of help when needed
   • signed a pledge never to reveal the secret
2. a drink in honor of or to the health of a person or event
3. someone accepted for membership but not yet fully admitted to the group
4. a deposit of personal property as security for a debt
   • his saxophone was in pledge

Verb

1. bind or secure by a pledge
   • I was pledged to silence
2. give as a guarantee
   • I pledge my honor
3. propose a toast to
   • Let us toast the birthday girl!
   • Let's drink to the New Year
4. pay (an amount of money) as a contribution to a charity or service, especially at regular intervals
   • I pledged $10 a month to my favorite radio station
5. promise solemnly and formally
   • I pledge that I will honor my wife