Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense 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 ofthe 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 pledgesto 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 moneyto 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 primarycare. [VERB noun]
Pledge is also a noun.
...a pledge of forty-two million dollars a month. [+ of]
4. verb
If you pledgeyourself 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
pledge in British English
(plɛdʒ)
noun
1.
a formal or solemn promise or agreement, esp to do or refrain from doing something
2.
a.
collateral for the payment of a debt or the performance of an obligation
b.
the condition of being collateral (esp in the phrase in pledge)
3.
a sign, token, or indication
the gift is a pledge of their sincerity
4.
an assurance of support or goodwill, conveyed by drinking to a person, cause, etc; toast
we drank a pledge to their success
5.
a person who binds himself or herself, as by becoming bail or surety for another
6. sign the pledge
verb
7.
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
9.
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
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
pledge in American English
(plɛdʒ)
noun
1.
the condition of being given or held as security for a contract, payment, etc.
a thing held in pledge
2.
a person or thing given or held as security for the performance of a contract, asa guarantee of faith, etc.; something pawned; hostage
3.
a token or earnest
4.
a drinking to someone's health to express good will or allegiance; toast
5.
a promise or agreement
6.
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
8.
to present as security or guarantee, esp. for the repayment of a loan; pawn
9.
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
a.
to accept tentative membership in (a fraternity, etc.)
b.
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 orfor 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, orassurance 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, goodfaith, 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 termsor one seized and kept to force others to comply with demands
Word origin
ME plegge < OFr pleige < ML plegium < plevium, security, warranty, infl. by Frank *pligi, liability; akin to OS plegan, to warrant
Examples of 'pledge' in a sentence
pledge
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)
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)
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 differencerefunded.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
pledge
British English: pledge NOUN
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.
American English: pledge
Brazilian Portuguese: promessa
Chinese: 誓言
European Spanish: promesa
French: promesse
German: Versprechen
Italian: impegno
Japanese: 誓約
Korean: 서약
European Portuguese: promessa
Latin American Spanish: compromiso
British English: pledge VERB
When someone pledges to do something, they promise in a serious way to do it.
He has pledged to give any award to charity.
American English: pledge
Brazilian Portuguese: empenhar
Chinese: 发誓
European Spanish: prometer
French: promettre
German: versprechen
Italian: impegnarsi
Japanese: 誓約する
Korean: 맹세하다
European Portuguese: empenhar
Latin American Spanish: prometer
Chinese translation of 'pledge'
pledge
(plɛdʒ)
n(c)
(= promise) 誓言 (shìyán) (个(個), gè)
vt
(= promise)[money, support, help]发(發)誓 (fāshì)
to pledge that ... 保证(證) ... (bǎozhèng ... )
to pledge to do sth保证(證)做某事 (bǎozhèng zuò mǒushì)
to pledge sb to secrecy叫某人发(發)誓保密 (jiào mǒurén fāshì bǎomì)
to pledge o.s. to sth保证(證)某事 (bǎozhèng mǒushì)
1 (noun)
Definition
a solemn promise
a pledge to step up cooperation between the states
Synonyms
promise
If you make a promise, you should keep it.
vow
Most people still take their marriage vows seriously.
assurance
an assurance that other forces will not move into the territory
word
He simply cannot be trusted to keep his word.
undertaking
The new owners gave an undertaking that the factory would remain open.
warrant
Police have issued a warrant for his arrest.
oath
a solemn oath by members to help each other
covenant
the United Nations covenant on civil and political rights
word of honour
2 (noun)
Definition
the condition of being used as security
items held in pledge for loans
Synonyms
guarantee
He had to give a personal guarantee on the loan to his company.
security
The banks will pledge the land as security.
deposit
A deposit of £20 is required when ordering.
bail
He was freed on bail pending an appeal.
bond
I'm not about to betray my bond with my brother.
collateral
Many people here cannot borrow from banks because they lack collateral.
earnest (old-fashioned)
He gave us the money as an earnest of his good faith.
pawn
gage
surety
a surety of £2,500
3 (noun)
Definition
a token
He gave her the ring as a pledge of his eternal love.
Synonyms
token
He sent her a gift as a token of his appreciation.
mark
Shopkeepers closed their shutters as a mark of respect.
sign
His face and movements rarely betrayed any sign of nerves.
symbol
The artist uses the oak tree as a symbol of strength.
evidence
Police said there was no evidence of a struggle.
proof
You must have proof of residence in the state.
testimony
Her living room piled with documents is a testimony to her dedication to her work.
4 (noun)
Definition
an assurance of support or goodwill, given by drinking a toast
Synonyms
toast
We drank a toast to Miss Jacobs.
health
1 (verb)
Definition
to promise solemnly
I pledge that by next year we will have the problem solved.
Synonyms
promise
They promised they would deliver it on Friday.
vow
She vowed that some day she would return to live in France.
vouch
swear
Alan swore that he would do everything in his power to help us.
contract
He has contracted to lease part of the collection to a museum in Japan.
engage
undertake
He undertook to edit the text himself.
give your word
give your word of honour
give your oath
2 (verb)
Definition
to promise to give (money to charity, etc)
He pledged £150 million to build the theatre.
Synonyms
promise
contribute
They say they would like to contribute more to charity.
donate
He frequently donates large sums to charity.
make a gift of
put yourself down for
3 (verb)
Definition
to give (one's word or property) as a guarantee
He asked her to pledge the house as security for the loan.
Synonyms
bind
The treaty binds them to respect their neighbour's independence.
guarantee
We guarantee to refund your money if you are not delighted with your purchase.
mortgage
engage
gage (archaic)
4 (verb)
Definition
to drink a toast to (a person or cause)
Synonyms
drink to
toast
They toasted to her accomplishments.
drink the health of
Additional synonyms
in the sense of assurance
Definition
a statement or assertion intended to inspire confidence
an assurance that other forces will not move into the territory
Synonyms
promise,
statement,
guarantee,
commitment,
pledge,
profession,
vow,
declaration,
assertion,
oath,
affirmation,
protestation (formal),
word,
word of honour
in the sense of bail
Definition
a sum of money deposited with the court as security for a person's reappearance in court
He was freed on bail pending an appeal.
Synonyms
security,
bond,
guarantee,
pledge,
warranty,
indemnity,
surety,
guaranty
in the sense of bond
Definition
a written or spoken agreement, esp. a promise
I'm not about to betray my bond with my brother.
Synonyms
agreement,
word,
promise,
contract,
guarantee,
pledge,
obligation,
compact,
covenant
Synonyms of 'pledge'
pledge
Explore 'pledge' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of collateral
Definition
security pledged for the repayment of a loan
Many people here cannot borrow from banks because they lack collateral.
Synonyms
security,
guarantee,
deposit,
assurance,
surety,
pledge
in the sense of contract
Definition
to make a formal agreement with (a person or company) to do or deliver (something)
He has contracted to lease part of the collection to a museum in Japan.
Synonyms
agree,
arrange,
negotiate,
engage,
pledge,
bargain,
undertake,
come to terms,
shake hands,
covenant,
make a deal,
commit yourself,
enter into an agreement
in the sense of contribute
Definition
to give (support or money) for a common purpose or fund
They say they would like to contribute more to charity.
Synonyms
give,
provide,
supply,
donate,
furnish,
subscribe,
chip in (informal),
bestow
in the sense of covenant
Definition
a formal sealed agreement
the United Nations covenant on civil and political rights
Synonyms
promise,
contract,
agreement,
commitment,
arrangement,
treaty,
pledge,
bargain,
convention,
pact,
compact,
concordat,
trust
in the sense of deposit
Definition
money given in part payment for goods or services
A deposit of £20 is required when ordering.
Synonyms
down payment,
security,
stake,
pledge,
warranty,
instalment,
retainer,
part payment
in the sense of donate
Definition
to give (something) to a charity or other organization
He frequently donates large sums to charity.
Synonyms
give,
present,
contribute,
grant,
commit,
gift,
hand out,
subscribe,
endow,
chip in (informal),
bestow,
entrust,
impart,
bequeath,
make a gift of
in the sense of earnest
Definition
a part payment given in advance as a guarantee of the remainder, esp. to confirm a contract
He gave us the money as an earnest of his good faith.
Synonyms
down payment,
security,
promise,
guarantee,
deposit,
pledge,
token,
assurance,
earnest money,
surety,
foretaste
in the sense of evidence
Police said there was no evidence of a struggle.
Synonyms
sign(s),
mark,
suggestion,
trace,
indication,
token,
manifestation
in the sense of gage
Synonyms
pledge,
security,
bond,
earnest (old-fashioned),
guarantee,
deposit,
token,
pawn,
surety
in the sense of mark
Definition
an indication of some quality
Shopkeepers closed their shutters as a mark of respect.
Synonyms
indication,
sign,
note,
evidence,
symbol,
proof,
token
Additional synonyms
in the sense of oath
Definition
a solemn promise, esp. to tell the truth in a court of law
a solemn oath by members to help each other
Synonyms
promise,
bond,
pledge,
vow,
word,
compact,
covenant,
affirmation,
sworn statement,
avowal,
word of honour
in the sense of proof
Definition
any evidence that confirms that something is true or exists
You must have proof of residence in the state.
Synonyms
evidence,
demonstration,
testimony,
confirmation,
verification,
certification,
corroboration,
authentication,
substantiation,
attestation
in the sense of security
Definition
something given or pledged to guarantee payment of a loan
The banks will pledge the land as security.
Synonyms
pledge,
insurance,
guarantee,
backing,
hostage,
collateral,
pawn,
gage,
surety
in the sense of sign
Definition
a visible indication
His face and movements rarely betrayed any sign of nerves.
Synonyms
indication,
evidence,
trace,
mark,
note,
signal,
suggestion,
symptom,
hint,
proof,
gesture,
clue,
token,
manifestation,
giveaway,
vestige,
spoor
in the sense of surety
Definition
security given as a guarantee that an obligation will be met
a surety of £2,500
Synonyms
security,
guarantee,
deposit,
insurance,
bond,
safety,
pledge,
bail,
warranty,
indemnity
in the sense of swear
Definition
to give evidence on oath in a law court
Alan swore that he would do everything in his power to help us.
Synonyms
vow,
promise,
take an oath,
warrant,
testify,
depose,
attest,
avow,
give your word,
state under oath,
pledge yourself
in the sense of symbol
Definition
a letter, figure, or sign used in mathematics, music, etc., to represent a quantity, operation, function, etc.
The artist uses the oak tree as a symbol of strength.
Synonyms
representation,
sign,
figure,
mark,
type,
image,
token,
logo,
badge,
emblem
in the sense of testimony
Definition
evidence proving or supporting something
Her living room piled with documents is a testimony to her dedication to her work.
Synonyms
proof,
evidence,
demonstration,
indication,
support,
manifestation,
verification,
corroboration
in the sense of undertake
Definition
to promise to do something
He undertook to edit the text himself.
Synonyms
agree,
promise,
contract,
guarantee,
engage,
pledge,
covenant,
commit yourself,
take upon yourself
in the sense of undertaking
Definition
an agreement to do something
The new owners gave an undertaking that the factory would remain open.
Synonyms
promise,
commitment,
pledge,
word,
vow,
assurance,
word of honour,
solemn word
Additional synonyms
in the sense of vow
Definition
a solemn and binding promise
Most people still take their marriage vows seriously.
Synonyms
promise,
commitment,
pledge,
oath,
profession,
troth (archaic),
avowal
in the sense of vow
Definition
to promise or decide solemnly
She vowed that some day she would return to live in France.
Synonyms
promise,
pledge,
swear,
commit,
engage,
affirm,
avow,
bind yourself,
undertake solemnly,
devote,
dedicate
in the sense of warrant
Definition
an official authorization for some action or decision