pledge
noun
\ ˈplej
\
\
Definition of pledge
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: a bailment of a chattel as security for a debt or other obligation without involving transfer of title
b
: the chattel so delivered
c
: the contract incidental to such a bailment
2a
: the state of being held as a security or guaranty
b
: something given as security for the performance of an act
3
: a token, sign, or earnest of something else
4
: a gage of battle
5
: toast sense 2
6a
: a binding promise or agreement to do or forbear
b(1)
: a promise to join a fraternity, sorority, or secret society
(2)
: a person who has so promised
pledge
verb
pledged;
pledging
Definition of pledge (Entry 2 of 2)
2
: to drink to the health of
3
: to bind by a pledge
4
: to promise the performance of by a pledge
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Other Words from pledge
Verb
pledger
\ ˈple-jər
\
or pledgor \ ˈple-jər
, ple-ˈjȯr \
noun
\
or pledgor \ ˈple-jər
, ple-ˈjȯr \
noun
Synonyms for pledge
Synonyms: Noun
gage, guarantee, guaranty, pawn, security
Synonyms: Verb
commit, engage, mortgage, troth
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Examples of pledge in a Sentence
Noun
He has promised to fulfill a campaign pledge to cut taxes. To make a pledge or donation, please call the charity's office. The company has made a pledge of over $3,000. He left his car as a pledge that he would return with the money.Verb
Her family pledged $100,000 toward the construction of a new school. He called to pledge money to the charity. Every morning, we pledge allegiance to the flag. teenagers who have pledged not to start smoking During his campaign, he pledged that he would not raise taxes. The chefs are pledged to keep the restaurant's special recipe a secret. He pledged his paintings as collateral for a loan.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Instead, the French host managed to avert disaster, keep America’s Donald Trump happy, ease trans-Atlantic tensions over a French tech tax and win a pledge from Mr Trump to talk to Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani. — The Economist, "Emmanuel Macron reclaims France’s international role," 31 Aug. 2019 The two sides appear to be closing in on an agreement in which the U.S. would withdraw its forces in return for a pledge from the Taliban to keep the country from being used as a launch pad for global attacks. — Washington Post, "A look at the Islamic State affiliate’s rise in Afghanistan," 21 Aug. 2019 The Witte Museum has received a $1 million pledge from the Dawson family that will allow the museum to reach more students with its STEM programming. — Deborah Martin, ExpressNews.com, "Witte Museum gets $1 million pledge for expansion, renovation of auditorium," 14 Aug. 2019 The El Paso Community Foundation Victims' Relief Fund had received $1.6 million as of this past Sunday, an amount that includes a $50,000 pledge from a nonprofit organization founded by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. — Fox News, "Here's how to help the mass shooting victims in El Paso and Dayton," 7 Aug. 2019 The two sides appear to be closing in on an agreement in which the U.S. would withdraw its forces in return for a pledge from the Taliban to keep the country from being used as a launch pad for global attacks. — Author: Rahim Faiez, Anchorage Daily News, "Death toll in attack at Afghan political office rises to 20," 29 July 2019 Among the rising high school senior class, UC currently holds verbal pledges from two 247Sports.com four-star prospects: linebacker Jaheim Thomas (Princeton) and quarterback Evan Prater (Wyoming). — Fletcher Page, Cincinnati.com, "Analysis: Breaking down Luke Fickell's recruiting success with UC Bearcats football," 26 July 2019 Despite garnering $427 million in pledges from its biggest fundraiser ever, the archdiocese continues to face stark financial challenges. — Chicago Tribune Staff, chicagotribune.com, "5 things about the Chicago Archdiocese’s uncertain financial future," 25 July 2019 Brostoff made good on a pledge from a year and a half ago not to cut his hair until the bill, which would change professional licensing standards for interpreters, landed on the governor’s desk. — Sophie Carson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Lawmaker who vowed no haircuts until sign language interpreter bill passed finally gets buzz cut as deaf community cheers," 2 July 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
The President's special communications office told CNN on Tuesday morning that Brazil would turn down the $20 million aid offer that was pledged for the Amazon at the G7 summit in France the day before. — Rob Picheta, CNN, "Timberland, Vans and The North Face will stop using Brazilian leather in Amazon protest," 30 Aug. 2019 The commission’s economic empowerment effort, with 123 potential applicants, offers a faster licensing process for eligible minorities, people with drug records, residents of areas with high pot arrests, and those pledging to hire from those areas. — Naomi Martin, BostonGlobe.com, "‘The window is closing’: Why black entrepreneurs are disappointed with Mass. marijuana legalization," 30 Aug. 2019 The 2019 rate announced Thursday is well below the 85% rate former Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who appointed Jackson, had pledged to reach by this year. — Javonte Anderson, chicagotribune.com, "With possible strike on horizon, CPS CEO looks forward, lauds record-high graduation rate," 29 Aug. 2019 Early last month, after The San Diego Union-Tribune first disclosed that Lara had accepted tens of thousands of dollars in political contributions from insurance executives and their spouses, Lara pledged to return the money. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "More political donations to Insurance Commissioner are linked to companies he regulates," 27 Aug. 2019 Macron did not immediately respond to Bolsonaro's conditions for accepting the money, worth roughly $20 million and pledged Monday during the G-7 summit in France. — NBC News, "Brazilian president demands apology before accepting $20M to help fight Amazon fires," 27 Aug. 2019 The company did not pledge a specific number of jobs. — Dallas News, "Here's where Uber's $24 million ranks among state's biggest incentive packages," 26 Aug. 2019 Update: The Group of Seven nations on August 26 pledged 18 million euros—over $20 million—to help combat fires raging in the Amazon rainforest. — National Geographic, "Near the Amazon fires, residents are sick, worried, and angry," 23 Aug. 2019 Spring 2019: Point guard Cole Anthony pledged his commitment to North Carolina in April, giving the Tar Heels a big backcourt boost late in the recruiting cycle. — Emily Caron, SI.com, "After Major Departures, UNC's Spring Push Has Restocked Tar Heels' Roster," 22 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pledge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for pledge
pledge
noun