oathoath /əʊθ $ oʊθ/ ●○○ noun (plural oaths /əʊðz $ oʊðz/) [countable] 
an oath of allegiance to the Queenswear/take an oath Servicemen have to swear an oath of loyalty to their country. The president took the oath of office (=made the official public promises that every president makes when starting their job). She could not break her oath.2law a formal promise to tell the truth in a court of lawon/under oath The evidence was given under oath. Witnesses are required to take the oath (=make this promise).3 written an offensive word or phrase that expresses anger, surprise, shock etc: He was shouting out oaths as they led him away.COLLOCATIONSverbsswear/take an oath· As children, they took an oath of friendship.violate/break an oath (=do something you promised not to do)· I do not expect you to violate your oath.be bound by an oath (=have sworn an oath)· These chiefs were bound to him by oaths of loyalty.phrasesan oath of loyalty/allegiance/obedience· They swore an oath of allegiance to the crown.an oath of secrecy· Anyone who joined had to swear an oath of secrecy.the oath of office (=the oath a government worker swears to do a job honestly and well)ADJECTIVES/NOUN + oatha solemn oath (=a very serious oath)· He swore a solemn oath never to tell.a sacred oath (=one you swear by God)· Stephen swore a sacred oath to recognise Matilda as Queen.the presidential oath (=sworn by a new president)· the oldest person ever to take the presidential oath for the first timethe coronation oath (=sworn by a king or queen when they are crowned)
WORD ORIGINoath
Origin:
Old English athEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Adams was elected to the British Parliament, but refused to swear an oath to the English Queen.
- He admitted that he had lied under oath.
- He shouted oaths and curses as they took him away.
- Public officials must take an oath to support the U.S. Constitution.
- The president takes the oath of office in a public ceremony.
THESAURUS
a statement that you will definitely do or provide something, which may not be reliable: · ‘I’ll call you tomorrow.’ ‘Is that a promise?’· Politicians are always making promises.
a public or official promise to do a particular thing in the future: · The Government has fulfilled at least 50% of its election pledges.· We have received pledges of help from various organizations.
a very serious promise to do something or not to do something that you choose to make: · He made a vow never to drink alcohol again.· your marriage vows
a formal promise, especially one that someone makes in a court of law: · Witnesses swear a solemn oath to tell the truth.· Public officials must take an oath to support the US Constitution.
a serious or public promise to do something, especially something difficult which needs a lot of effort or money: · The police have given an undertaking to reduce street crime in the city centre.· He was made to sign a written undertaking that he would not go within a mile of her house.
a promise that something will happen or is true, made so that someone is less worried or more confident: · You have my assurance that it won’t happen again.· The manager gave me his personal assurance that the goods would be delivered today.
a very definite promise that something will happen. A guarantee is also a formal written promise by a company to repair or replace a product free if it has a fault within a fixed period of time.: · With any diet, there’s no guarantee of success.· I’m afraid I can’t give you a 100% guarantee.· Is the camera still under guarantee (=within the period during which it can be repaired or replaced free)?
Longman Language Activatora promise a statement telling someone that you will definitely do something that they want you to do: · "I'll call you tomorrow." "Is that a promise?"promise of: · The refugees are relying on promises of food and aid from the West.make a promise: · Making promises is risky for a company, but it usually does result in improved customer relations.promise to do something: · Scott made a campaign promise not to raise taxes.promise that: · He left with a promise that he would be back before six.
a promise that something will definitely happen or is definitely true, which makes someone less worried or more confident: · Despite all their assurances, they broke the agreement and signed a deal with a rival company.assurance that: · I need an assurance that you will support me.give somebody an assurance: · The manager gave me his personal assurance that the parts would be here today.give somebody an assurance about/on: · His lawyer was unwilling to give him any kind of assurance about the outcome of the trial.
a promise that something will happen or be provided, because you are going to make sure of this. A guarantee is also a formal written promise by a company to repair or replace a product free if it has a fault within a fixed period of time: guarantee that: · The contract contains a guarantee that the building will be finished within 6 months.· After the Second World War, Belgium wanted a guarantee that it would not be invaded again.under guarantee (=within the period when a company promises to repair a product free of charge if something goes wrong): · Is the camera still under guarantee?
a promise to do something that will take a long time or involve a lot of effort: · The peace talks ended with smiles and handshakes, but no commitment.· Marriage, ideally, is a lifelong commitment.make a commitment: · The organization has made a commitment to plant 5,000 trees in San Francisco.commitment to: · The American adviser expressed America's commitment to Africa's economic development.commitment to doing something: · The governor has a strong commitment to creating jobs in the state.
a public or official promise to give help, support, or money to an organization, group, or person: · The Government has fulfilled at least 50% of its election pledges.pledge of: · We have received pledges of help from various organizations.pledge to do something: · The coup leaders have ignored their pledges to hold democratic elections.
a formal and serious promise, especially one that someone makes in a court of law: take/swear an oath (=make a promise): · Adams was elected to the British Parliament, but refused to swear an oath to the English Queen.under oath (=while you have made a promise to tell the truth in a court of law): · He admitted that he had lied under oath.oath of office (=the promises you make when you are elected to a government position): · The president takes the oath of office in a public ceremony.oath to do something: · Public officials must take an oath to support the U.S. Constitution.
a public or official promise to do something, especially something difficult, which needs a lot of effort or money, and that you will be responsible for making sure that it is done: undertaking to do something: · Khrushchev demanded an American undertaking not to attack Cuba.undertaking that: · Before we can release you, we need an undertaking that you will not leave town before the trial.
WORD SETSaccess, nounacquit, verbacquittal, nounactionable, adjectiveact of God, nounadjourn, verbadminister, verbadmissible, adjectiveADR, nounadversarial, adjectiveadvocate, nounaffidavit, nounage, nounaggrieved, adjectiveagreement, nounannual return, anti-dumping, adjectiveantitrust, adjectiveAppeal Court, nounappear, verbappellate court, nounarraign, verbarticled clerk, articles of association, nounassignee, nounassizes, nounattachment, nounattest, verbattorney, nounattorney-at-law, nounattorney general, nounaverage clause, bailable, adjectivebailee, nounbailiff, nounbailment, nounban, nounbarrister, nounbeneficial owner, beneficiary, nounbequeath, verbbequest, nounbest efforts, adjectivebid-rigging, nounbill, nounbill of rights, nounblue law, nounbody corporate, bond, nounbook, verbbox, nounbreakdown clause, break fee, brief, nounbroker's lien, burden of proof, nounbusiness entity, buyer's risk, bylaw, nouncabotage, nouncadastre, nouncase, nouncase law, nouncash shell, nouncause, nouncause célèbre, nouncause of action, nouncaution, nouncaution, verbcertificate of incorporation, nouncertificate of protest, nouncertificate of search, nounchain of title, nounchallenge, nounchallenge, verbchancery, nounChapter 7, nouncharge, nouncharge, verbcharges register, chief justice, nouncircuit court, nouncite, verbcitizen's arrest, nouncivil, adjectivecivil law, nounclaim, nounclaimant, nounclass action, nounclause, nounclean, adjectivecloud on title, nouncollusion, nouncommerce clause, committal, nouncommon law, nouncommunity property, nounCommunity Reinvestment Act, nouncommutation, nounCompanies House, nouncompanies registry, company limited by guarantee, nouncompany limited by shares, nouncompany officer, competence, nouncompetent, adjectivecomplainant, nouncompletion, nouncompletion date, compliance officer, compulsory purchase, nounconditional discharge, nouncondition precedent, nouncondition subsequent, nounconduct money, confidentiality clause, confirmation hearing, conflict of laws, nounconjugal, adjectiveconsensus ad idem, nounconsent decree, consenting adult, nounconservator, nounconstituted, adjectiveconstitution, nounconstitutional, adjectiveconstitutionality, nouncontempt, nouncontest, verbcontingency fee, contract of insurance, nouncontract of purchase, nouncontract of service, nouncontravene, verbcontravention, nouncontributory negligence, nounconvey, verbconveyance, nounconveyancing, nounconvict, verbconviction, nouncopyright, nounco-respondent, nouncosignatory, nouncounsel, nouncounty court, nouncourthouse, nouncourt-martial, nouncourt-martial, verbCourt of Appeal, nounCourt of Appeals, nouncourt of inquiry, nouncourt of law, nounCourt of Queen's Bench, nouncourt order, nouncourt reporter, nouncourtroom, nouncramdown, nouncriminal, adjectivecriminal injury, criminalize, verbcriminal law, nouncross-examine, verbCrown Court, nouncurfew, nouncustodial, adjectiveD.A., noundata protection, death sentence, noundeath warrant, noundeclaration of association, noundecree, noundecree absolute, noundecree nisi, noundecriminalize, verbdeed, noundeed of conveyance, noundefalcation, noundefend, verbdefendant, noundeficiency judgment, noundeficiency judgment, de jure, adjectivedeposition, noundeputy, nounderivative lease, desertion, noundiminished responsibility, noundiplomatic immunity, noundirectors register, disabled quota, disbar, verbdischarge of contract, noundisclaim, verbdisclaimer, noundiscretionary, adjectivedisinherit, verbdismiss, verbdispense, verbdisposition, noundispossess, verbdissent, noundissolution, noundistrain, verbdistrict attorney, noundistrict court, noundivorce, noundivorce, verbdivorced, adjectivedocket, noundonee, noundouble jeopardy, noundraftsman, noundrink-driving, noundrunk driving, noundue process, nounduress, nouneasement, nounedict, nouneffective, adjectiveeminent domain, nounempower, verbenabling, adjectiveenabling clause, enact, verbendowment, nounenforced, adjectiveenjoin, verbescape clause, escrow, nounescrow agent, estate, nounestoppel, nounevidence, nounexamination, nounexamination-in-chief, nounexamine, verbexculpate, verbexecute, verbexecutor, nounexecutrix, nounexhibit, nounexpectations, nounex post facto law, nounexpropriate, verbextradite, verbextrajudicial, adjectivefair dealing, false representation, nounfee absolute, nounfiduciary, nounfiduciary, adjectivefinding, nounfirm name, nounfixtures and fittings, nounforce majeure, nounforeman, nounforewoman, nounfreeholder, nounfree pardon, nounfrustration of contract, fugitive, nounfugitive, adjectivegagging order, gag order, noungarnishee, verbgarnishee, noungeneral counsel, noungeneral practice, noungive, verbgrand jury, noungrantee, noungrantor, noungreen paper, noungross misconduct, ground rent, nounguarantee, verbguarantor, nounguaranty, nounguillotine, verbguilt, noungun control, nounhabeas corpus, nounHague Rules, nounhear, verbhearing, nounheir, nounheir apparent, nounhereafter, adverbhereditament, nounhereinafter, adverbhereof, adverbhereto, adverbheritable, adjectiveHigh Court, nounHighway Code, nounhirer, nounhuman right, nounimplied term, inadmissible, adjectiveinalienable, adjectiveincriminate, verbindemnify, verbindemnity, nounindict, verbindictable, adjectiveindictment, nounindustrial tribunal, nouninitiative, nouninjunction, nounin loco parentis, adverbinnocence, nouninnocent, adjectiveinoperative, adjectiveinquest, nouninsanity, nouninstruct, verbintellectual property, nounintent, nouninterdict, nouninterlocutory injunction, invoke, verbJane Doe, nounjob quota, joint and several liability, JP, nounjudge, nounjudge, verbjudicial, adjectivejuridical, adjectivejurisdiction, nounjurisprudence, nounjurist, nounjuror, nounjury, nounjury box, nounjury service, nounjustice, nounJustice of the Peace, nounjustifiable homicide, nounjuvenile, adjectivekangaroo court, nounKing's Counsel, nounlaw firm, nounlawyer, nounlease, nounleasehold, adjectiveleaseholder, nounlegatee, nounlegator, nounlessee, nounlessor, nounletters of administration, nounliable, adjectivelicensee, nounlien, nounlienee, nounlienor, nounlimited liability, nounliquidated damages, litigant, nounlitigate, verblitigation, nounlitigator, nounlitigious, adjectiveliving will, nounloophole, nounmagisterial, adjectivemagistracy, nounmagistrate, nounMagistrates' Court, nounmaintenance, nounmajority, nounmalfeasance, nounmalpractice, nounmarriage certificate, nounmarriage licence, nounmarriage lines, nounmaterial, adjectivematerial fact, nounmemorandum, nounmiscarriage of justice, nounmisdirect, verbmisfeasance, nounmisstatement, nounmistrial, nounM'lord, nounM'lud, nounmoiety, nounmonies, nounmoot court, nounmoratorium, nounmovable, nounno-fault, adjectivenolo contendere, nounnonfeasance, nounnon-negotiable, adjectivenotary, nounnuisance, nounnullify, verbnullity, nounoath, nounopen-and-shut case, nounopen verdict, nounoperative mistake, nounordinance, nounoriginating application, originating summons, outlaw, nounout-of-court settlement, nounoyez, interjectionpalimony, nounpanel, nounparalegal, nounpardon, verbpardon, nounparty, nounpass, verbpassage, nounpatent, nounpatent, adjectivepaternity, nounpaternity suit, nounpatrimony, nounpenal code, nounpenalty, nounperformance contract, perjury, nounpersonal injury, personal representative, personalty, nounpetition, nounpetition, verbpetitioner, nounplaintiff, nounplanning permission, nounplea bargaining, nounpleadings, nounpledgee, nounpolice, verbpositive discrimination, nounpower of attorney, nounprecedent, nounprejudice, verbpreservation order, nounpresume, verbprice-fixing, nounprima facie, adjectiveprimary residence, prime tenant, primogeniture, nounprivate law, nounprivileged, adjectiveprivity, nounprobate, nounprobate, verbprobation, nounprobationer, nounprobation officer, nounpro bono, adjectiveprocedural, adjectiveproceeding, nounproceedings, nounprohibit, verbprohibition, nounprohibitive, adjectivepromulgate, verbpronounce, verbproposition, nounproscribe, verbprosecute, verbprosecution, nounprosecutor, nounprotective custody, nounprove, verbprovision, nounprovisional licence, nounproximate cause, nounpublic defender, nounpublic prosecutor, nounpublic service vehicle, punishable, adjectiveQC, nounquarter sessions, nounquash, verbQueen's Counsel, nounreal property, nounrecess, nounrecess, verbrecognition, nounrecognizance, nounrecorder, nounreeve, nounregulation, nounremand, verbremand, nounrepeal, verbrescind, verbrespondent, nounrestoration, nounrestore, verbretainer, nounretrial, nounretroactive, adjectiveretrospective, adjectiveretry, verbreversion, nounrevocation, nounrevoke, verbRex, nounright of appeal, nounroad tax, nounroot of title, royalty payment, rule, verbruling, nounsaid, adjectivesalami slicing, nounSarbanes-Oxley Act, nounscheme of arrangement, nounsentence, nounsentence, verbsequester, verbsession, nounsettlement date, settlement terms, shall, modal verbshell company, sheriff, nounsheriff court, nounshow trial, nounsitting tenant, nounsmall claims court, nounsolicitor, nounsolicitor general, nounSOX, nounspecial licence, nounspecific performance, speed limit, nounstakeholder, nounstate attorney, nounstate court, nounstated case, statute, nounstatute law, nounstatute of limitations, nounstatutory, adjectivestatutory report, stay, nounstay of execution, nounstipendiary magistrate, nounstoppage in transit, nounsub judice, adverbsubmission, nounsuborn, verbsubpoena, nounsubpoena, verbsue, verbsuit, nounsumming up, nounsumming-up, nounsummons, nounsummons, verbSupreme Court, nounsurety, nounsuspended sentence, nounswear, verbtechnicality, nountenant at sufferance, nountenant at will, nountenant for years, nountenant in common, nountenure, nountestament, nountestator, nountest case, nountest certificate, nountestify, verbtestimony, nounthereinafter, adverbthird party, nounthrough, prepositionticket, nounticket, verbtitle, nountitle deed, nountitle holder, nountort, nountradename, nounTrading Standards, treasure trove, nountrespass, verbtrespass, nountrial, nountrust for sale, nounultra vires, adjectiveunderwriting power, undue influence, noununlicensed, adjectiveuphold, verbverdict, nounvindicate, verbvisa, nounvoucher, nounward, nounwarrant, nounwhereas, conjunctionwill, nounwill, verbwinding up, nounwitness, nounwitness, verbwitness box, nounwrit, nounwrongful termination,
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs Remember that you have sworn an oath and so must tell the truth.
1a formal and very serious promiseoath of loyalty/allegiance/obedience etc· As children, they took an oath of friendship.
(=do something you promised not to do)· I do not expect you to violate your oath.
(=have sworn an oath)· These chiefs were bound to him by oaths of loyalty.
phrases· They swore an oath of allegiance to the crown.
· Anyone who joined had to swear an oath of secrecy.
(=the oath a government worker swears to do a job honestly and well)
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + oath (=a very serious oath)· He swore a solemn oath never to tell.
(=one you swear by God)· Stephen swore a sacred oath to recognise Matilda as Queen.
(=sworn by a new president)· the oldest person ever to take the presidential oath for the first time
(=sworn by a king or queen when they are crowned)
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=be the official person who listens to it)
(=a promise to be loyal)· They swore an oath of loyalty to their king.
Remember that you have sworn an oath and so must tell the truth. an oath of allegiance to the Queenswear/take an oath Servicemen have to swear an oath of loyalty to their country. The president took the oath of office (=made the official public promises that every president makes when starting their job). She could not break her oath.2law a formal promise to tell the truth in a court of lawon/under oath The evidence was given under oath. Witnesses are required to take the oath (=make this promise).3 written an offensive word or phrase that expresses anger, surprise, shock etc: He was shouting out oaths as they led him away.COLLOCATIONSverbsswear/take an oath· As children, they took an oath of friendship.violate/break an oath (=do something you promised not to do)· I do not expect you to violate your oath.be bound by an oath (=have sworn an oath)· These chiefs were bound to him by oaths of loyalty.phrasesan oath of loyalty/allegiance/obedience· They swore an oath of allegiance to the crown.an oath of secrecy· Anyone who joined had to swear an oath of secrecy.the oath of office (=the oath a government worker swears to do a job honestly and well)ADJECTIVES/NOUN + oatha solemn oath (=a very serious oath)· He swore a solemn oath never to tell.a sacred oath (=one you swear by God)· Stephen swore a sacred oath to recognise Matilda as Queen.the presidential oath (=sworn by a new president)· the oldest person ever to take the presidential oath for the first timethe coronation oath (=sworn by a king or queen when they are crowned)