pledge
Pronunciation Verb

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

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

pledge (plural pledges)

  1. A solemn promise to do something.
    1. (with the) A promise to abstain from drinking alcohol.
  2. A security to guarantee payment of a debt.
    1. Something given by a person who is borrowing money etc to the person he has borrowed it from, to be kept until the money etc is returned.
  3. A person who has taken a pledge of allegiance to a college fraternity, but is not yet formally approved.
  4. A drinking toast.
Synonyms Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations


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