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.

• IPA: /plɛd͡ʒ/

pledge (pledges, present participle pledging; simple past and past participle pledged)

1. To make a solemn promise (to do something).

   pledge allegiance to the flag

2. To deposit something as a security; to pawn.
3. (transitive) To give assurance of friendship by the act of drinking; to drink to one's health.
   • 1773, Oliver Goldsmith, She Stoops to Conquer:

     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.]

   • 1852, Matthew Arnold, Tristram and Iseult:

     Reach me my golden cup that stands by thee,
     And pledge me in it first for courtesy.

• French: promettre
• German: zusichern, versprechen, geloben, zusagen
• Italian: promettere, impegnarsi
• Portuguese: prometer
• Russian: обеща́ть
• Spanish: prometer, comprometerse

• French: mettre en gage
• German: verpfänden
• Portuguese: caucionar
• Russian: отдавать в залог
• Spanish: hipotecar, empeñar, pignorar

pledge (plural pledges)

1. A solemn promise to do something.

   Synonyms: commitment

   1. (with the) A promise to abstain from drinking alcohol.
2. 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.
   • 1593, anonymous author, The Life and Death of Iacke Straw […], Act I ↗:

     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.

3. (law) A bailment of personal property to secure payment of a debt without transfer of title.
   1. The personal property so pledged, to be kept until the debt is paid.

      Synonyms: collateral

4. (college slang) A person who has taken a pledge of allegiance to a college fraternity, but is not yet formally approved.
5. A drinking toast.

• French: serment
• German: Gelöbnis
• Italian: promessa solenne
• Portuguese: promessa
• Russian: обе́т
• Spanish: promesa solemne, compromiso

• French: gage
• German: Pfand
• Italian: pegno
• Portuguese: penhor
• Russian: зало́г
• Spanish: prenda

• German: Fuchs
• Spanish: iniciado, iniciada

• Russian: тост
• Spanish: brindis

• Spanish: juramento, manda