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pledge

n. · v.
US //ˈpɫɛdʒ// UK //plˈɛdʒ// pledge
  1. 1 a solemn promise (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    a serious or formal promise to do something, like giving money to a charity.

    a solemn promise or undertaking to perform a specific action or provide support.

    Example

    The politician made a pledge to reduce taxes if his party won the election.

    Example

    The charitable foundation received a million-dollar pledge from an anonymous donor, ensuring the project's viability for the next decade.

    Usage

    Often used with the preposition 'to' followed by an infinitive.
  2. 2 security for a debt (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Formal Law

    something valuable that you give to a person or bank to prove you will pay them back.

    a bailment of personal property as security for some debt or engagement.

    Example

    He left his gold watch as a pledge that he would return to pay the bill.

    Example

    Under the terms of the agreement, the shares were held as a pledge against the short-term loan provided by the investment bank.

    Usage

    In legal contexts, it refers specifically to the physical possession of the asset by the creditor.
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  1. 3 fraternity candidate (n.)
    C1 Advanced American English Informal

    a student who is trying to join a university social group but is not yet a full member.

    a person who has committed to joining a college fraternity or sorority but has not yet been initiated.

    Example

    The new pledges had to spend the weekend cleaning the fraternity house.

    Example

    During the recruitment week, each pledge was assigned a mentor to help them navigate the complex social traditions of the organization.
  2. 4 to formally promise (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    to make a serious or formal promise to give or do something.

    to commit oneself by a solemn promise; to give as a guarantee.

    Example

    Many countries have pledged to protect the environment by reducing carbon emissions.

    Example

    The executive board pledged their full support to the restructuring plan, despite the initial concerns raised by the shareholders.

    Usage

    The verb is transitive and often takes a direct object or a 'to' infinitive.
    • renege
  3. 5 to give as security (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Formal Law

    to give something valuable to a lender as a guarantee that you will pay them back.

    to deposit an object or asset as security for a loan or the fulfilment of an obligation.

    Example

    The family had to pledge their property to secure the emergency loan.

    Example

    The borrower was required to pledge liquid assets of equivalent value before the credit facility could be extended.
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.

Idioms1 entry

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