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Added 8 October 2026

pledge

/plɛd͡ʒ/ verb

In Latin: spondere, vovere Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about pledge at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To make a solemn promise (to do something).
pledge allegiance to the flag
To deposit something as a security; to pawn.
To give assurance of friendship by the act of drinking; to drink to one's health.

noun

A solemn promise to do something.
A promise to abstain from drinking alcohol.
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.

Origin

From Middle English plege, from Anglo-Norman plege, from Old French plege (Modern French pleige) from Medieval Latin plevium, plebium, from plebiō (“to 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.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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