pledge

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a deposit of personal property as security for a debt

   I had to put my saxophone in pledge to qualify for a loan.

2. 2
   verb

   promise solemnly and formally

   I pledge that I will honor my wife

3. 3
   verb

   bind or secure by a pledge

   I was pledged to silence

4. 4
   verb

   give as a guarantee

   I pledge my honor

5. 5
   verb

   pay an amount of money as a contribution to a charity or service, especially at regular intervals

   I pledged $10 a month to my favorite radio station.

6. 6
   verb

   To make a solemn promise (to do something).

   pledge allegiance to the flag

7. 7
   verb

   To give assurance of friendship by the act of drinking; to drink to one's health.

   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.]

8. 8
   noun

   A solemn promise to do something.

   Mr. Biden unveiled the pledge at a White House climate summit for world leaders, declaring that the United States is ready to reclaim a leadership role on climate change.

Etymology

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.