Definition of 'pledge'

Word Frequency

pledge

(pledʒ )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense pledges , present participle pledging , past tense, past participle pledged

1. countable noun [usually NOUN to-infinitive]

When someone makes a pledge, they make a serious promise that they will do something.

The meeting ended with a pledge to step up cooperation between the six states of the region.

...a £1.1m pledge of support from the Spanish ministry of culture. [+ of]

Synonyms: promise, vow, assurance, word More Synonyms of pledge

2. verb

When someone pledges to do something, they promise in a serious way to do it. When they pledge something, they promise to give it.

Mr Dudley has pledged to give any award to charity. [VERB to-infinitive]

Philip pledges support and offers to help in any way that he can. [VERB noun]

I pledge that by next year we will have the problem solved. [VERB that]

Synonyms: promise, vow, vouch, swear More Synonyms of pledge

3. verb

If you pledge a sum of money to an organization or activity, you promise to pay that amount of money to it at a particular time or over a particular period.

The French President is pledging $150 million in French aid next year. [VERB noun]

The government has now pledged £170m over the next six years for improving primary care. [VERB noun]

Pledge is also a noun.

...a pledge of forty-two million dollars a month. [+ of]

4. verb

If you pledge yourself to something, you commit yourself to following a particular course of action or to supporting a particular person, group, or idea.

He has pledged himself to assist Mr. Williams with money. [VERB pronoun-reflexive to-infinitive]

He has pledged himself to Everton Football Club for another three years. [V pron-refl to n]

The treaties renounce the use of force and pledge the two countries to co-operation. [VERB noun + to]

5. verb

If you pledge something such as a valuable possession or a sum of money, you leave it with someone as a guarantee that you will repay money that you have borrowed.

He asked her to pledge the house as security for a loan. [VERB noun]

Synonyms: bind, guarantee, mortgage, engage More Synonyms of pledge

More Synonyms of pledge

Video: pronunciation of 'pledge'

Word Frequency

pledge in British

(plɛdʒ )

noun

a formal or solemn promise or agreement, esp to do or refrain from doing something

collateral for the payment of a debt or the performance of an obligation

the condition of being collateral (esp in the phrase in pledge)

a sign, token, or indication

the gift is a pledge of their sincerity

an assurance of support or goodwill, conveyed by drinking to a person, cause, etc; toast

we drank a pledge to their success

a person who binds himself, as by becoming bail or surety for another

6. sign the pledge

verb

to promise formally or solemnly

he pledged allegiance

8. (transitive)

to bind or secure by or as if by a pledge

they were pledged to secrecy

to give, deposit, or offer (one's word, freedom, property, etc) as a guarantee, as for the repayment of a loan

10.

to drink a toast to (a person, cause, etc)

Derived forms

pledgable (ˈpledgable) or pledgeable (ˈpledgeable)

adjective

Word origin of 'pledge'

C14: from Old French plege, from Late Latin plebium gage, security, from plebīre to pledge, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German pflegan to look after, care for

Word Frequency

pledge in American

(plɛdʒ ; plej)

noun

the condition of being given or held as security for a contract, payment, etc.

a thing held in pledge

a person or thing given or held as security for the performance of a contract, as a guarantee of faith, etc.; something pawned; hostage

a token or earnest

a drinking to someone's health to express good will or allegiance; toast

a promise or agreement

something promised, esp. money to be contributed in regular payments

7. US

a person undergoing a trial period before formal initiation into a fraternity, sorority, etc.

verb transitiveWord forms: pledged or ˈpledging

to present as security or guarantee, esp. for the repayment of a loan; pawn

to drink a toast to

10.

to bind by a promise or agreement

11.

to promise to give

to pledge allegiance, pledge money to a fund

12. US

to accept tentative membership in (a fraternity, etc.)

to accept as a pledge (sense 7)

Idioms:

take the pledge

SYNONYMY NOTE: pledge applies to anything given as security for the performance of an act or contract or for the payment of a debt [he gave her a ring as a pledge]; earnest2, in current usage, applies to anything given or done as an indication, promise, or assurance of more to follow [her early triumphs are an earnest of her success]; token is used of anything serving or given as evidence of authority, genuineness, good faith, etc. [this watch is a token of our gratitude]; pawn1 now usually refers to an article left as security for the money lent on it by a pawnbroker; , hostage is applied to a person handed over as a pledge for the fulfillment of certain terms or one seized and kept to force others to comply with demands

Word origin of 'pledge'

ME plegge < OFr pleige < ML plegium < plevium, security, warranty, infl. by Frank *pligi, liability; akin to OS plegan, to warrant

Example sentences containing 'pledge'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

Greece had secured support for an international bailout by pledging to cut spending. Times, Sunday Times (2016)But this month she backed down from a pledge to give workers a boardroom seat. The Sun (2016)Investors will then be invited to pledge money at a discount. Times, Sunday Times (2016)She also pledged to fight for them to be paid on time by bigger companies. The Sun (2017)We pledge our lasting support to this most special relationship. Times, Sunday Times (2017)Reckless pledge The only sign of a policy in the speech. Times, Sunday Times (2016)It comes despite a Government pledge to cap fees where patient damages are under 100,000. The Sun (2016)Ministers will pledge to invest in digital, energy, construction and transport infrastructure for each region. Times, Sunday Times (2017)The question is whether Mrs May can change the weather and make good her pledge to be a robust free trade champion. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Britain will pledge 20 million over the next four years to manage and enforce the new reserves, which will be known as marine protected areas. Times, Sunday Times (2016)How will that square with your pledge to cut immigration? The Sun (2014)They made a solemn pledge in their election manifesto that they would not raise income tax. The Sun (2009)The money had been pledged for the sound system in the worship auditorium. Christianity Today (2000)She was released after reportedly signing a pledge not to do it again or speak publicly. The Sun (2011)Reconstruction of the city is also a key pledge. Times, Sunday Times (2009)You could take your little pledge card and promise them the moon. Times, Sunday Times (2014)What is the difference between pledges and guarantees? Times, Sunday Times (2010)He has already pledged to cut tax credits for wealthier families. The Sun (2010)Half the money has been pledged by the government. Times, Sunday Times (2011)Each time she refused to sign a pledge offered by police undertaking not to drive again. Times, Sunday Times (2011)He is also expected to pledge to lower the income tax threshold. Times, Sunday Times (2010)But it seems their other halves are no longer the only people they make a pledge of loyalty to. The Sun (2013)The covenant was launched two years ago as a way for businesses to publicly pledge support for servicemen and women. The Sun (2015)The clubs recently pledged to give 1bn to external organisations but that included funding for lower leagues. Times, Sunday Times (2015)He will set out six key healthcare pledges Labour will deliver if it wins the election. The Sun (2015)Athens announced deeper cuts yesterday and pledged to step up its privatisation programme in the face of intense pressure from its government lenders. Times, Sunday Times (2011)Then comes yet another stage: pledging to do things differently next time. Times, Sunday Times (2010)Now he's realised his firm manifesto pledge to give illegal immigrants an amnesty was wrong too. The Sun (2013)We'll ensure he keeps that solemn pledge. The Sun (2010)This cash is in addition to the 200 million pledged by the four banks over the next two years. Times, Sunday Times (2011)The Government has pledged 2 million so far to cope with the impact. Times, Sunday Times (2009)Their efforts led to the British Government last month pledging to step up its efforts to get it banned worldwide. The Sun (2015)But given that the President has pledged the same before, it remains to be seen whether this will yield results. Times, Sunday Times (2011)It confirmed last week that anyone who redeemed a loan before this pledge, and when the fee was lower, could have the difference refunded. Times, Sunday Times (2007)