pledge: Meaning and Definition of

pledge

Pronunciation: (plej), [key]
— n., v., pledged, pledg•ing.
—n.
  1. a solemn promise or agreement to do or refrain from doing something: a pledge of aid; a pledge not to wage war.
  2. something delivered as security for the payment of a debt or fulfillment of a promise, and subject to forfeiture on failure to pay or fulfill the promise.
  3. the state of being given or held as security: to put a thing in pledge.
    1. the act of delivering goods, property, etc., to another for security.
    2. the resulting legal relationship.
  4. something given or regarded as a security.
  5. a person accepted for membership in a club, fraternity, or sorority, but not yet formally approved.
  6. an assurance of support or goodwill conveyed by drinking a person's health; a toast.
    1. a hostage.
    2. a person who becomes bail or surety for another.
  7. to make a solemn, formal vow to abstain from intoxicating drink.
—v.t.
  1. to bind by or as if by a pledge: to pledge hearers to secrecy.
  2. to promise solemnly: to pledge one's support.
  3. to give or deposit as a pledge; pawn.
  4. to stake, as one's honor.
  5. to secure by a pledge; give a pledge for.
  6. to accept as a pledge for club, fraternity, or sorority membership.
  7. to drink a health or toast to.
—v.i.
  1. to make or give a pledge: to pledge for someone.
  2. to drink a pledge; toast someone's health, success, etc.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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