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pledge

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The definition of a pledge is something held as security on a contract, a promise, or a person who is in a trial period before joining an organization.

(noun)

An example of a pledge is a cash down payment on a car.
An example of a pledge is a promise that you'll buy a person's car.
An example of a pledge is a woman who is waiting to be formally initiated into a sorority.

Pledge is defined as to give something as security for a loan, promise, make an agreement, or accept a potential membership.

(verb)

An example of pledge is to give someone your iPod as a guarantee that you'll return their car by a certain time.
An example of pledge is to promise to return a person's car by a certain time.
An example of pledge is to accept a potential membership to a college fraternity.

See pledge in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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

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

transitive verb pledged, pledging

to present as security or guarantee, esp. for the repayment of a loan; pawn
to drink a toast to
to bind by a promise or agreement
to promise to give: to pledge allegiance, pledge money to a fund
☆
1. to accept tentative membership in (a fraternity, etc.)
2. to accept as a pledge ()

See pledge in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A solemn binding promise to do, give, or refrain from doing something: signed a pledge never to reveal the secret; a pledge of money to a charity.
a. Something given or held as security to guarantee payment of a debt or fulfillment of an obligation.
b. The condition of something thus given or held: put an article in pledge.
Law
a. Delivery of goods or personal property as security for a debt or obligation: a loan requiring a pledge of property.
b. The contract by which such delivery is made.
A token or sign: “fair pledges of a fruitful tree” (Robert Herrick).
A person who has been accepted for membership in a fraternity or similar organization and has promised to join but has not yet been initiated.
The act of drinking in honor of someone; a toast.
A vow to abstain from alcoholic liquor: ex-drinkers who have taken the pledge.

verb pledged pledged, pledg·ing, pledg·es

verb, transitive

To offer or guarantee by a solemn binding promise: pledge loyalty to a nation. See Synonyms at devote, promise.
To bind or secure by or as if by a pledge: pledged themselves to the cause.
To deposit as security; pawn.
a. To promise to join (a fraternity or similar organization).
b. To accept as a prospective member of such an organization.
To drink a toast to.

verb, intransitive