oath
n. countablen. a serious, formal promise to tell the truth or do something important. You often make this promise in a court of law or when starting a high-level job.
n. a solemn, formal declaration or promise to fulfill a duty or speak the truth. Often carries legal or religious weight and is frequently sworn upon a sacred object.
The witness took an oath to tell the truth.
Before testifying in the trial, the witness had to swear an oath to provide an honest account of the events.
The newly elected president stood before the crowd to recite the oath of office, pledging to protect the constitution and serve the public interest faithfully.
From Middle English ooth, oth, ath, from Old English āþ (“oath”), from Proto-West Germanic aiþ (“oath”), from Proto-Germanic aiþaz (“oath”). Cognate with Scots aith, athe (“oath”), North Frisian ith, iss (“oath”), Saterland Frisian Eed (“oath”), West Frisian eed (“oath”), Dutch eed (“oath”), German Eid (“oath”), Swedish ed (“oath”), Icelandic eið (“oath”), Latin ūtor (“make use of, employ, avail”, verb), Old Irish óeth (“oath”).
Commonly used with the verbs 'take', 'swear', or 'break'. Often followed by the preposition 'of' to specify the duty.
he made an oathhe took an oathIn legal and formal contexts, the standard collocation is 'take an oath' or 'swear an oath' rather than 'make'.