HOW TO PRONOUNCE
pledge
/plɛdʒ/
Press play to hear how to pronounce pledge.
American Pronunciation Guide · 1:03
Watch on YouTube ↗
Watch on YouTube ↗
What does pledge mean?
verb
- To make a solemn promise (to do something).
- To deposit something as a security; to pawn.
- To give assurance of friendship by the act of drinking; to drink to one's health.
More meanings (7)
noun
- A solemn promise to do something.
- A promise to abstain from drinking alcohol.
- An asset or person temporarily handed over to guarantee the fulfilment of something promised, under threat of permanent loss of the thing handed over; surety, security, hostage.
- A bailment of personal property to secure payment of a debt without transfer of title.
- The personal property so pledged, to be kept until the debt is paid.
- A person who has taken a pledge of allegiance to a college fraternity, but is not yet formally approved.
- A drinking toast.
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/plɛdʒ/
CMU Pronouncing Dictionary ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
With these answers, but not accepting one of the presents, except what was a pledge of kindness and good-will, he returned.
We pledge perseverance and wisdom in our efforts to limit the world's armaments to those necessary for each nation's own domestic safety.
More book examples (3)
I supposed that his word would be worthless as a pledge and would be given only for the purpose of tricking me.
But she had given her pledge, and fear-conscience and love-conscience were later augmented by duty-conscience, and she never seriously thought of deserting.
Aemilius, do this message honourably, And if he stand on hostage for his safety, Bid him demand what pledge will please him best.