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Pledge Very Common

Pledge has 11 different meanings across 2 categories:

Noun · Verb

Definitions
Noun
1

a deposit of personal property as security for a debt

"his saxophone was in pledge"

2

someone accepted for membership but not yet fully admitted to the group

"The new member stood at the door as a pledge, eager to learn more about the fraternity's traditions before officially joining."

3

a drink in honor of or to the health of a person or event

"The guests raised their glasses to make a pledge to the newlyweds' happiness."

4

a binding commitment to do or give or refrain from something

"an assurance of help when needed"

"signed a pledge never to reveal the secret"

5

A solemn promise to do something.

"The new employee pledged to complete all assigned tasks by the deadline."

In plain English: A pledge is a promise to do something specific, often made very seriously before others.

"His solemn pledge to serve his country was recorded in the official ceremony."

Verb
1

promise solemnly and formally

"I pledge that I will honor my wife"

2

pay (an amount of money) as a contribution to a charity or service, especially at regular intervals

"I pledged $10 a month to my favorite radio station"

3

propose a toast to

"Let us toast the birthday girl!"

"Let's drink to the New Year"

4

give as a guarantee

"I pledge my honor"

5

bind or secure by a pledge

"I was pledged to silence"

6

To make a solemn promise (to do something).

"The new manager pledged to restore trust within the company by implementing transparent policies."

In plain English: To pledge something is to make a serious promise to do it or give it away.

"He pledged to donate all his money to charity after winning the lottery."

Usage: Use the verb pledge when you are making a formal commitment, often in front of an audience or with significant weight behind it. This word is stronger than simply promising and implies that serious consequences will follow if the vow is broken.

Example Sentences
"His solemn pledge to serve his country was recorded in the official ceremony." noun
"He pledged to donate all his money to charity after winning the lottery." verb
"He pledged to donate all his savings to the local shelter." verb
"She pledged her loyalty to the team during the ceremony." verb
"I pledge that I will never leave you again." verb
Related Terms
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
security interest member drink commitment promise donate honor consign oblige
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
pawn guarantee plight vow covenant give collateralize hypothecate

Origin

The word pledge comes from the Frankish language, where it originally meant "to support" or "to guarantee." It traveled through Old French and Anglo-Norman before entering Middle English with the sense of making a solemn promise.

Rhyming Words
edge budge vedge lodge dodge ledge wedge judge nudge fidge midge wodge fedge pudge hudge widge rodge gedge jedge ridge
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