Pledge Definition

plĕj

pledged, pledges, pledging

noun

pledges

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.

American Heritage

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

A thing held in pledge.

Webster's New World

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

Webster's New World

Delivery of goods or personal property as security for a debt or obligation.

A loan requiring a pledge of property.

American Heritage

A token or earnest.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
break

verb

pledged, pledges, pledging

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

Webster's New World

To bind by a promise or agreement.

Webster's New World

To promise to give.

To pledge allegiance, pledge money to a fund.

Webster's New World

To drink a toast to.

Webster's New World

To promise to join (a fraternity or similar organization).

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
disobey
falsify
break

idiom

take the pledge

to make a solemn resolution not to drink alcoholic liquor

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Pledge

Noun

Singular:

pledge

Plural:

pledges

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Pledge

take the pledge

Origin of Pledge

From Middle English plege, from Anglo-Norman plege, from Old French plege (Modern French pleige) from Medieval Latin plevium, plebium, from Medieval Latin plebio (“I pledge"), from Frankish *plegan (“to pledge; to support; to guarantee"), from Proto-Germanic *plegō (“responsibility, habit"), from Proto-Indo-European *dlegh-. Akin to Old High German pflegan (“to take care of, be accustomed to"), Old Saxon plegan (“to vouch for"), Old English plÄ“on (“to risk, endanger"). More at plight.

From Wiktionary
Middle English from Old French plege probably from Late Latin plevium a security of Germanic origin dlegh- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition