What does "pledge" mean?
A solemn promise to do something.
Pledge
/plɛd͡ʒ/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A solemn promise to do something.
- Grammar: pledge is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: commitment, accounts payable, accounts receivable, adjuration.
- Useful contrasts: betray, breach, break.
- Usage evidence: I give my pledge that I will quit smoking.
How to use "pledge"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "pledge" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "pledge" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "pledge" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "pledge" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "pledge" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "commitment" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "pledge", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A solemn promise to do something.
"Mr. Biden unveiled the pledge at a White House climate summit for world leaders, declaring that the United States is ready to reclaim a leadership role on climate change."
- 2 a binding commitment to do or give or refrain from something wordnet
- 3 A solemn promise to do something.; A promise to abstain from drinking alcohol.
- 4 a drink in honor of or to the health of a person or event wordnet
- 5 An asset or person temporarily handed over to guarantee the fulfilment of something promised, under threat of permanent loss of the thing handed over; surety, security, hostage.
"Iacke Straw. […] I haue his wife and children pledges, for his ſpeedie returne from the King, to whom he is gone with our meſſage. Tom Miller. Let him take heede hee bring a wiſe anſwere to our worships, or els his pledges goes to the pot."
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 someone accepted for membership but not yet fully admitted to the group wordnet
- 7 A bailment of personal property to secure payment of a debt without transfer of title.
- 8 a deposit of personal property as security for a debt wordnet
- 9 A bailment of personal property to secure payment of a debt without transfer of title.; The personal property so pledged, to be kept until the debt is paid.
- 10 A person who has taken a pledge of allegiance to a college fraternity, but is not yet formally approved.
- 11 A drinking toast.
Verb
- 1 To make a solemn promise (to do something).
"pledge allegiance to the flag"
- 2 promise solemnly and formally wordnet
- 3 To deposit something as a security; to pawn.
- 4 bind or secure by a pledge wordnet
- 5 To give assurance of friendship by the act of drinking; to drink to one's health. transitive
"HARDCASTLE [Taking the cup.] I hope you'll find it to your mind. I have prepared it with my own hands, and I believe you'll own the ingredients are tolerable. Will you be so good as to pledge me, sir? Here, Mr. Marlow, here is to our better acquaintance. [Drinks.]"
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 give as a guarantee wordnet
- 7 propose a toast to wordnet
- 8 pay (an amount of money) as a contribution to a charity or service, especially at regular intervals wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"I give my pledge that I will quit smoking."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "pledge"?
Common synonyms include: commitment, accounts payable, accounts receivable, adjuration, adjurations, affiliate.
How do you use "pledge" in a sentence?
I give my pledge that I will quit smoking.
How do you pronounce "pledge"?
Pronounced /plɛd͡ʒ/.
Etymology
From Middle English plege, from Anglo-Norman plege, from Old French plege (Modern French pleige) from Medieval Latin plevium, plebium, from plebiō (“I pledge”), from Frankish *plehan (“to pledge; to support; to guarantee”). Akin to Old High German pflegan (“to take care of, be accustomed to”), Old Saxon plegan (“to vouch for”), Old English plēon (“to risk, endanger”). More at plight.