pledge

/pledʤ/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
pledge

I pledge to donate a portion of my allowance to the animal shelter.

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.
pledge

I pledge to donate a portion of my allowance to the animal shelter.

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