Definition of pledge in English:

pledge

noun plɛdʒplɛdʒ

1A solemn promise or undertaking.
with infinitive the conference ended with a joint pledge to limit pollution
Example sentencesExamples
- The court remonstrated that the edict did away with the last vestiges of its authority despite solemn pledges of previous kings.
- Does it seem to you that Americans are particularly fond of symbols and pledges and oaths?
- Underfunding the United Nations seems both unwise, and contrary to solemn pledges.
- Now, both parties had made a solemn pledge never to do this.
- That should be a solemn pledge for anyone who works in the space program, he said.
- There have been persistent reports by the Director General of violations of Iran's nuclear pledges, its promises and commitments and its treaty obligations.
- We had shaken on it, writing it down as a solemn pledge against dating one boy.
- Unity was the work of leaders, he said, adding: ‘This is my solemn pledge: I will work to build a single nation of justice and opportunity.’
- Just bear with me as I stand aside to raise my hand and utter a solemn pledge that the following paragraph will make more sense than the first.
- After the poll is over, the promises and pledges will be shelved and the program of big business will prevail no matter what its impact on working people.
- Concurrently, they were making solemn pledges that they had no intention to do so.
- The solemn pledge taken included an oath swearing to quit the drug habit and to avoid association with former friends and others still involved with drugs.
- This must be a solemn pledge secure in the knowledge that in serving the best interests of children, one serves the best interests of all humanity.
- They have given me their solemn pledge, and I hope that they will be able to resist the many temptations around them.
- Under twinkling lights and shimmering tulle, 150 or so teens in Central Texas made a solemn pledge.
- In amongst this vast morass of loosely worded pledges was an absolute gem, a truly marvellous item, something which we've been waiting for far too long to see on the statute books.
- The boys took a solemn pledge at a nondescript hockey stadium in Poland.
- The conclusion is a pressing exhortation to Catholics to be discerning, and a pledge to undertake a critical dialogue with those affected by New Age influences.
- As part of their membership, each scout has to make a pledge and promise to do duty to God, their country and others.
- Would you sign a pledge to limit the number of flights you take each year?
Synonyms
promise, undertaking, vow, word, word of honour, commitment, assurance, oath, covenant, bond, agreement, guarantee, warrant
1. 1.1 A promise of a donation to charity.
  appeals for emergency relief met with pledges totalling £250,000,000
  Example sentencesExamples
  A total of 402 households have responded through gifts or pledges and the total amount pledged represents more than twice the target figure of 96,170 euro.
  So far the charity has received donations and pledges from the public amounting to around £9,200 but needs £50,000 to survive until the next financial year.
  Bath rugby players joined them at their Trowbridge offices to take pledges for the charity.
  With pledges and donations throughout the day he has raised £140 but hopes the amount will increase.
  The Trust has received more than £225,000 in donations and pledges towards its fund-raising target of £500,000.
  But with most big pledges made, further donations were expected to slow to a trickle.
  On that night, the velodrome will be welcoming donations and pledges for Dave's rehab, prosthetics and education.
  Eighty firms responded, and although half expressed a serious intent to meet pledges, they acknowledged they could not give a guarantee about the future.
  Despite the pledges and promises of money, none had actually materialised.
  The money is a welcome boost to the donations and pledges of cash already made since the appeal's launch in September.
  In addition to that money, the Trust has now received more than £200,000 of donations and pledges towards the target.
  Additional pledges and donations are actively sought and encouraged.
  According to Associated Press, the US and other nations were expected to announce pledges totalling $4.5 billion at the London meeting.
  Donations and pledges from fans neared £13,000.
  A further £30,000 will be added to the total if pledges made then are realised now.
  Others had made pledges but not actual donations.
  He had charitable pledges and estates fees totaling some $9 million, according to J.P. Morgan sources.
  I have set up a PayPal account specifically for donations and pledges.
  An hour later Abe turns to his wife and asks, ‘Esther, did we pay our charity pledge cheque to Beth Shalom Synagogue yet?’
  During the show many people of prominence and film and singing stars will be on hand to receive phone calls and accept pledges of donations.
2. 1.2the pledge A solemn undertaking to abstain from alcohol.
  she persuaded Arthur to take the pledge
  Example sentencesExamples
  At the end of the school year in June there will be a special Mass of Commitment during which the children will have an opportunity to take a pledge to abstain from harmful drugs and alcoholic drink.
  Gary Locke, in a valedictory to the judiciary, on Monday urged judges to take the pledge against drinking in public - or at least to hold themselves to a single drink.
  Matt told his doubting mother that he was going to take the pledge.
  Ministers at one time had to take a pledge not to drink, encouraging their congregations to do likewise.
  Like the first taste of scotch to a former alcoholic who breaks the pledge, what followed was a raging thirst for everything and anything western.
  Both boys had taken the pledge and didn't drink.
  Anyone who wishes to take the pledge is requested to attend this meeting.
  In his homily he urged the young people to remain loyal to the pledge to abstain from alcohol which they were taking, and warned them of the evil effect on society from the use of drugs.
2Law
A thing that is given as security for the fulfilment of a contract or the payment of a debt and is liable to forfeiture in the event of failure.
he had given the object as a pledge to a creditor
Example sentencesExamples
- The borrower retains ownership of the pledge except on default on the loan, and then the pawnbroker has the opportunity to sell those goods.
- In the table below, enter the information specific to your Pledge of Security and Loan Agreement.
- The sense of the pledge as debt implied by both translations suggests that the vow or promise is predicated on a loss already inscribed in the speech act.
Synonyms
surety, bond, security, collateral, guarantee, deposit, pawn
archaic gage, earnest
1. 2.1 A thing given as a token of love, favour, or loyalty.
  I have no intention of giving you anything that could be held against me as a pledge
  Example sentencesExamples
  As a pledge of his loyalty to them Jaffeir places Belvidera in the charge of their leader, Renault, but without explaining the reason.
  Their kisses weren't frantic like they had been before, but rather more pledges of love for one another.
  Li Xiucheng returned, bringing his entire family with him as a pledge of loyalty.
  Synonyms
  token, symbol, sign, mark, testimony, proof, evidence, badge
3archaic The drinking of a person's health; a toast.
Example sentencesExamples
- Stand, and let us hear your pledge for the health of our land and people!
Synonyms
tribute, salute, salutation

verb plɛdʒplɛdʒ

1with object and infinitive Commit (a person or organization) by a solemn promise.
the government pledged itself to deal with environmental problems
Example sentencesExamples
- Italy has pledged troops, ships and fighter jets, although no Italian military contingent has left for the front.
- In contrast, an average of $250 per person was pledged to the citizens of Bosnia, East Timor, Kosovo and Rwanda.
- In a centuries-old tradition some village parents pledge a young daughter to the goddess Yalluma.
- The ‘reforms’ to which he says he is steadfastly pledged are not reforms at all.
- Virginia and Tennessee had 151 pledged delegates at stake.
- We are at war, but against no nation; we have an enemy, but it wears no uniform; we are pledged to victory, but may not recognise it when it is achieved.
- They also selflessly pledged themselves to undertake great sacrifices for the cause of their country.
- But we commit and pledge our best efforts to finding a way to make it work.
- The king watches over the whole kingdom and the people cry to him and pledge him allegiance meaning that they have light in their hearts until the end of days.
- Both France and Germany have pledged elite troops, but the US has not yet taken up their offer.
- Then they pledge those three people to making nice-nice to three others, and so on around the world and into outer space.
- United Nations members are pledged to collective security, i.e. to protecting any member nation from aggression at the hands of another.
- He also pledged four fighter aircraft, three frigates and two refueling aircraft.
- The others co-defendants stood up, pledging allegiance to him.
- Those who had already pledged him their votes spent last week looking at their shoes.
- Half a million immigrants pledge their allegiance to the United States each year.
- For all the speculation about the evil that goes on in these organizations, all of which pledge their members to secrecy, I can assure you nothing nefarious occurs.
- The Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Reverend David Stancliffe, has pledged his wholehearted support to an appeal launched by Oxfam.
- They pledged doctors, medical supplies, financial aid, and rescuers with sniffer dogs and equipment to locate survivors.
- Various countries pledged soldiers, bases and funds to the war in Afghanistan.
- Ministers are also consulting on plans to copy citizenship ceremonies in Australia and Canada, where citizens are encouraged to take part in ceremonies pledging their allegiance to their country.
1. 1.1with clause Formally declare or promise that something is or will be the case.
  the Prime Minister pledged that there would be no increase in VAT
  Example sentencesExamples
  She had one week to ensure the wages were paid or to pledge that the contractor would not be given any more business.
  He's pledged to continue to improve services so that customers get a better deal in the future.
  He also called on rich countries to pledge that more than half of the new aid promised at the Monterrey Conference in March will go to Africa.
  Pembrokeshire County Council will be redoubling its efforts to market the second call centre building, pledged its leader, Councillor Maurice Hughes.
  Concerns about the troubled construction and engineering firm have led campus chiefs to pledge that all students promised a room will still be housed in September.
  In November Roosevelt conveniently won re-election to an unprecedented third presidential term, while pledging that the USA would not go to war.
  McConnell has pledged that pre-school children will not receive sex education and that the morning-after pill will not be handed out in schools.
  Contractors pledge that disruption will be kept to a minimum, following widespread complaints during the last excavation.
  Some politicians, declaring themselves to be servants of the people, have pledged that they would be like faithful dogs.
  World football chiefs have given the go-ahead for a single UK football team to be picked to compete in the Olympic games, pledging that it will not endanger the future of the Scotland squad.
  During the election campaign in 1964, Ayub Khan had pledged that if elected to the post of president he would remove corruption from all spheres of life.
  News reports also cited Russian officials as pledging that elections for a new Chechen president would take place within four months, as called for in the republic's constitution.
  Mayor Martin Winter has pledged no member of staff at the current schools will be without a job as a result of the changes.
  She pledged that, as promised on the doorsteps, during the canvass, she would now be going back to talk to people and would be listening to what they had to say.
  Dr Nelson announced the $6million pilot program in May, pledging that families with children who struggle to read and write in Year 3 would secure assistance.
  At midnight tomorrow a deadline set by the US for countries to sign an agreement pledging that they will never hand over any of its citizens to the court will expire.
  In-coming President Sean Kelly has pledged that the tournament stays as long as the players want it.
  He must now seriously consider if September 13, the date he pledged to unilaterally declare independence, really is worth heralding as the momentous deadline.
  Moreover, Iceland has pledged the consumer will not have to pay more for organic products, which are usually more expensive.
  Levett pledged nurses would be on the resistance's frontline.
  Synonyms
  promise, give one's word, vow, swear, give an assurance, give an undertaking, undertake, take an oath, swear an oath, engage, contract, commit oneself, bind oneself, declare, affirm, avow, state
  rare asseverate
2. 1.2no object, with infinitive Solemnly undertake to do something.
  they pledged to continue the campaign for funding
  Example sentencesExamples
  The world will be just as dangerous the day after we have solemnly pledged to ignore its dangers.
  City centre officers are also pledged to have more of an impact on cycle thefts and on cyclists riding in restricted areas.
  This organization is pledged to work for justice in the church and for the implementation of due process procedures.
  But let's not throw sticks at her - she's pledged to become part of the order, rather than the chaos of society.
  Well, I'm pledged to build this Green Party effort and to get more candidates at the local, state and national level, yes.
  But he will need more than semantics to see him through this one the more so as he is pledged to cut the public spending increase to single digits by 2004 and onwards.
  He's pledged to execute every family that will not bend a knee to him.
  We are pledged to creating one million new homeowners by 2009.
  They originally pledged to continue action for two weeks but ultimately agreed to hold a meeting with Mr. Milloy which took place on Monday, November 15.
  These are the international legal structures in place and we are pledged to abide by them.
  Whereby all men were pledged to defend the rights of each man, and each man to defend the rights of all men.
  He was pledged to withdraw 1300 Spanish troops from Iraq.
  But how best we secure the reform and additional investment that are vital if we are to deliver to the people we are pledged to serve.
  He was also pledged to be married soon, after all.
  Yet still, Americans are stationed in Europe and Americans are still pledged to risk their blood and treasure in Europe's defense.
  As a bishop, she is pledged to uphold church law and file charges against pastors who openly defy it.
  He is also pledged to get rid of the secrecy that seems to bedevil things going on at the Town Hall.
  On one hand, I am pledged to be an advocate for the patient's best interests.
  He seems obsessed with the quick hit, his strategies geared more to press conferences than to long-term, practical solutions to the stuff he's pledged to protect us from.
  Not only have reform groups solemnly pledged to bring facts and common sense to the debate, they propose societal acceptance of expanded, legal use of drugs by adults.
3. 1.3with object Undertake formally to give.
  Japan pledged $100 million in humanitarian aid
  Example sentencesExamples
  Tokyo has pledged US $5 billion in new grants and loans by 2007 for reconstruction.
  "You hear of all this money being pledged by the government for education.
  Donors pledged more than $4.5 billion for rebuilding the shattered country at the gathering on Monday and Tuesday.
  The IOC has pledged US $25 million to fund the agency's first year.
  His company has already pledged a donation of " several thousand pounds".
  A spokesman for the Department of Transport said the government had already pledged cash to support the three planned extensions.
  Foreign countries have pledged US $4.5 billion in aid to rebuild Sri Lanka.
  So he was pledged financial income under commercial cover.
  A total of US $100 million is already pledged to support the participation of poorer countries.
  Less than half of the $5 billion pledged at an international donors conference for Afghanistan has turned up.
  The UN says $1.2bn in aid has been pledged so far, for about five million survivors.
  Japan has pledged to donate $250 million in reconstruction assistance in the first year.
  An earlier forecast of aid to be pledged at the conference was also put at $3 billion.
  The $3.7 billion pledged by donors will be just enough to sustain current programmes.
  Secondly, he pledged more money for flood defences.
  To pledge you need the barcode from one of their promotional packs, but no purchase is necessary - you can simply write down the barcode when you're in the supermarket.
  Transport bosses have pledged more cash for police patrols to protect passengers on night bus services in Manchester.
  Synonyms
  undertake to give, promise (to give), donate, contribute, give, make a gift of, put oneself down for, put up
  British covenant
2Law
with object Give as security on a loan.
the creditor to whom the land is pledged
Example sentencesExamples
- In England it is possible to pledge bearer securities by handing over the certificates themselves.
- When the land is pledged for a loan of Rs.500 the oral deal between Shamu's mother and the money lender Lala is that until the loan is paid, one fourth of the harvest will be paid to Lala towards interest.
- The courts therefore ruled that wives could pledge their husbands' credit for ‘necessaries’ but not for luxuries.
- The manager says in his statement that those shares had been pledged as security for another loan.
- Each called for the periodic restoration of land which had been pledged as security and forfeited for unpaid debt.
Synonyms
mortgage, put up as collateral, guarantee, pawn
archaic gage, plight
3archaic with object Drink to the health of.
in his hand a sculptured goblet, as he pledged the merchant kings
Synonyms
pay tribute to, drink the health of, drink to the health of, drink to, salute, honour

Derivatives

pledger

noun ˈplɛdʒəˈplɛdʒər

That person will agree to be all the other pledgers ' representative in the House of Lords.
Example sentencesExamples
- Even so, the local authority would be aware of the statistics of the American programme, from whence they get their inspiration, and its 88 per cent failure rate amongst pledgers.
- If those youths are less likely to use contraceptives at first intercourse, are most of the pledgers putting themselves at greater risk of pregnancy or disease?
- Among the study's findings: 59% of males who did not pledge abstinence used a condom during sex, while only 40% of male pledgers used one.
- Virginity pledgers are also less likely to know their STD status - increasing the chances they will infect a partner or suffer long-term health consequences.

pledgor

noun plɛdʒˈɔːˈplɛdʒər

Law

A person who deposits something as security for the fulfilment of a contract or the payment of a debt.
legal title to the collateral remains with the pledgor
Example sentencesExamples
- Under English law, it said, there could be no doubt that a pledgee like the bank might hand back to the pledgor as his agent goods it had pledged for the purposes of sale, without diminishing the power of the security.
- It will be recalled that a pledge, as it involves the transfer of possession, does not require registration under the Bills of Sale Acts 1878-1891 nor, in the case of a corporate pledgor, the Companies Act 1985, section 396.

Origin

Middle English (denoting a person acting as surety for another): from Old French plege, from medieval Latin plebium, perhaps related to the Germanic base of plight².

plight from Old English:
In the traditional marriage ceremony the bride and groom each say ‘I plight thee my troth’, meaning ‘I pledge my word’. Plight means ‘to promise solemnly’, and pledge (Middle English) is probably a distant relative. Troth is an old variant of truth, meaning ‘giving your word’ and still preserved in betroth (Middle English). The other meaning of plight, ‘a predicament’, is from Old French plit ‘fold’, suggesting the idea of a difficult or complicated situation. Other words from plit include Middle English pliant (Late Middle English) literally ‘foldable’; and pliable (Late Middle English); pliers (mid 16th century) tools for bending things; and ply (Late Middle English) in the sense of ‘thickness’ as in plywood (early 20th century). (The other ply as in ply with drink, is simply a shortening of apply, see appliance). Pleat and plait (Middle English) are further relatives. Compliant (mid 17th century) looks as if it should be a relative, but its immediate source, to comply (early 17th century), originally came from Latin complere ‘to fulfil, accomplish’, although compliant later developed senses influenced by its similarity to pliant.

Rhymes

allege, dredge, edge, fledge, hedge, kedge, ledge, reg, sedge, sledge, veg, wedge

Definition of pledge in US English:

pledge

nounplejplɛdʒ

1A solemn promise or undertaking.
with infinitive the conference ended with a joint pledge to limit pollution
Example sentencesExamples
- That should be a solemn pledge for anyone who works in the space program, he said.
- Unity was the work of leaders, he said, adding: ‘This is my solemn pledge: I will work to build a single nation of justice and opportunity.’
- This must be a solemn pledge secure in the knowledge that in serving the best interests of children, one serves the best interests of all humanity.
- The court remonstrated that the edict did away with the last vestiges of its authority despite solemn pledges of previous kings.
- After the poll is over, the promises and pledges will be shelved and the program of big business will prevail no matter what its impact on working people.
- Underfunding the United Nations seems both unwise, and contrary to solemn pledges.
- Under twinkling lights and shimmering tulle, 150 or so teens in Central Texas made a solemn pledge.
- In amongst this vast morass of loosely worded pledges was an absolute gem, a truly marvellous item, something which we've been waiting for far too long to see on the statute books.
- The conclusion is a pressing exhortation to Catholics to be discerning, and a pledge to undertake a critical dialogue with those affected by New Age influences.
- There have been persistent reports by the Director General of violations of Iran's nuclear pledges, its promises and commitments and its treaty obligations.
- Now, both parties had made a solemn pledge never to do this.
- The boys took a solemn pledge at a nondescript hockey stadium in Poland.
- As part of their membership, each scout has to make a pledge and promise to do duty to God, their country and others.
- Does it seem to you that Americans are particularly fond of symbols and pledges and oaths?
- The solemn pledge taken included an oath swearing to quit the drug habit and to avoid association with former friends and others still involved with drugs.
- They have given me their solemn pledge, and I hope that they will be able to resist the many temptations around them.
- Just bear with me as I stand aside to raise my hand and utter a solemn pledge that the following paragraph will make more sense than the first.
- We had shaken on it, writing it down as a solemn pledge against dating one boy.
- Concurrently, they were making solemn pledges that they had no intention to do so.
- Would you sign a pledge to limit the number of flights you take each year?
Synonyms
promise, undertaking, vow, word, word of honour, commitment, assurance, oath, covenant, bond, agreement, guarantee, warrant
1. 1.1 A promise of a donation to charity.
  the company's pledge of 10% of profits to environmental concerns
  Example sentencesExamples
  Bath rugby players joined them at their Trowbridge offices to take pledges for the charity.
  Others had made pledges but not actual donations.
  A further £30,000 will be added to the total if pledges made then are realised now.
  Additional pledges and donations are actively sought and encouraged.
  He had charitable pledges and estates fees totaling some $9 million, according to J.P. Morgan sources.
  Despite the pledges and promises of money, none had actually materialised.
  A total of 402 households have responded through gifts or pledges and the total amount pledged represents more than twice the target figure of 96,170 euro.
  With pledges and donations throughout the day he has raised £140 but hopes the amount will increase.
  Donations and pledges from fans neared £13,000.
  In addition to that money, the Trust has now received more than £200,000 of donations and pledges towards the target.
  During the show many people of prominence and film and singing stars will be on hand to receive phone calls and accept pledges of donations.
  The money is a welcome boost to the donations and pledges of cash already made since the appeal's launch in September.
  An hour later Abe turns to his wife and asks, ‘Esther, did we pay our charity pledge cheque to Beth Shalom Synagogue yet?’
  The Trust has received more than £225,000 in donations and pledges towards its fund-raising target of £500,000.
  According to Associated Press, the US and other nations were expected to announce pledges totalling $4.5 billion at the London meeting.
  So far the charity has received donations and pledges from the public amounting to around £9,200 but needs £50,000 to survive until the next financial year.
  But with most big pledges made, further donations were expected to slow to a trickle.
  On that night, the velodrome will be welcoming donations and pledges for Dave's rehab, prosthetics and education.
  Eighty firms responded, and although half expressed a serious intent to meet pledges, they acknowledged they could not give a guarantee about the future.
  I have set up a PayPal account specifically for donations and pledges.
2. 1.2the pledge A solemn undertaking to abstain from alcohol.
  she persuaded Arthur to take the pledge
  Example sentencesExamples
  Both boys had taken the pledge and didn't drink.
  In his homily he urged the young people to remain loyal to the pledge to abstain from alcohol which they were taking, and warned them of the evil effect on society from the use of drugs.
  Like the first taste of scotch to a former alcoholic who breaks the pledge, what followed was a raging thirst for everything and anything western.
  Anyone who wishes to take the pledge is requested to attend this meeting.
  Gary Locke, in a valedictory to the judiciary, on Monday urged judges to take the pledge against drinking in public - or at least to hold themselves to a single drink.
  Ministers at one time had to take a pledge not to drink, encouraging their congregations to do likewise.
  Matt told his doubting mother that he was going to take the pledge.
  At the end of the school year in June there will be a special Mass of Commitment during which the children will have an opportunity to take a pledge to abstain from harmful drugs and alcoholic drink.
2Law
A thing that is given as security for the fulfillment of a contract or the payment of a debt and is liable to forfeiture in the event of failure.
Example sentencesExamples
- The sense of the pledge as debt implied by both translations suggests that the vow or promise is predicated on a loss already inscribed in the speech act.
- In the table below, enter the information specific to your Pledge of Security and Loan Agreement.
- The borrower retains ownership of the pledge except on default on the loan, and then the pawnbroker has the opportunity to sell those goods.
Synonyms
surety, bond, security, collateral, guarantee, deposit, pawn
1. 2.1 A thing given as a token of love, favor, or loyalty.
  Example sentencesExamples
  As a pledge of his loyalty to them Jaffeir places Belvidera in the charge of their leader, Renault, but without explaining the reason.
  Their kisses weren't frantic like they had been before, but rather more pledges of love for one another.
  Li Xiucheng returned, bringing his entire family with him as a pledge of loyalty.
  Synonyms
  token, symbol, sign, mark, testimony, proof, evidence, badge
3archaic The drinking to a person's health; a toast.
Example sentencesExamples
- Stand, and let us hear your pledge for the health of our land and people!
Synonyms
tribute, salute, salutation
4US A person who has promised to join a fraternity or sorority.
Example sentencesExamples
- For example, does this Bridgewater State College pledge, Sigma Pi fraternity, character know that he's googlable?
- For a long time, getting put on the audit committee has been akin to being a pledge in a fraternity who had to scrub toilets and spend hours sitting naked on ice blocks before he become a brother.
- One of them would be in charge of pledge recruitment, and the other would be set loose on sorority row to set up weekend parties.
- But Barry himself looks instinctively like a new fraternity pledge who barely made it into the house.

verbplejplɛdʒ

1with object and infinitive Commit (a person or organization) by a solemn promise.
with object and infinitive the government pledged itself to deal with environmental problems
Example sentencesExamples
- United Nations members are pledged to collective security, i.e. to protecting any member nation from aggression at the hands of another.
- Half a million immigrants pledge their allegiance to the United States each year.
- We are at war, but against no nation; we have an enemy, but it wears no uniform; we are pledged to victory, but may not recognise it when it is achieved.
- Both France and Germany have pledged elite troops, but the US has not yet taken up their offer.
- The king watches over the whole kingdom and the people cry to him and pledge him allegiance meaning that they have light in their hearts until the end of days.
- For all the speculation about the evil that goes on in these organizations, all of which pledge their members to secrecy, I can assure you nothing nefarious occurs.
- Then they pledge those three people to making nice-nice to three others, and so on around the world and into outer space.
- He also pledged four fighter aircraft, three frigates and two refueling aircraft.
- In contrast, an average of $250 per person was pledged to the citizens of Bosnia, East Timor, Kosovo and Rwanda.
- The Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Reverend David Stancliffe, has pledged his wholehearted support to an appeal launched by Oxfam.
- The others co-defendants stood up, pledging allegiance to him.
- They pledged doctors, medical supplies, financial aid, and rescuers with sniffer dogs and equipment to locate survivors.
- But we commit and pledge our best efforts to finding a way to make it work.
- Various countries pledged soldiers, bases and funds to the war in Afghanistan.
- They also selflessly pledged themselves to undertake great sacrifices for the cause of their country.
- Those who had already pledged him their votes spent last week looking at their shoes.
- Italy has pledged troops, ships and fighter jets, although no Italian military contingent has left for the front.
- In a centuries-old tradition some village parents pledge a young daughter to the goddess Yalluma.
- Virginia and Tennessee had 151 pledged delegates at stake.
- The ‘reforms’ to which he says he is steadfastly pledged are not reforms at all.
- Ministers are also consulting on plans to copy citizenship ceremonies in Australia and Canada, where citizens are encouraged to take part in ceremonies pledging their allegiance to their country.
1. 1.1with clause Formally declare or promise that something is or will be the case.
  the president pledged that 20,000 government buildings would have solar roofs
  Example sentencesExamples
  He must now seriously consider if September 13, the date he pledged to unilaterally declare independence, really is worth heralding as the momentous deadline.
  She had one week to ensure the wages were paid or to pledge that the contractor would not be given any more business.
  Pembrokeshire County Council will be redoubling its efforts to market the second call centre building, pledged its leader, Councillor Maurice Hughes.
  Concerns about the troubled construction and engineering firm have led campus chiefs to pledge that all students promised a room will still be housed in September.
  World football chiefs have given the go-ahead for a single UK football team to be picked to compete in the Olympic games, pledging that it will not endanger the future of the Scotland squad.
  In November Roosevelt conveniently won re-election to an unprecedented third presidential term, while pledging that the USA would not go to war.
  Levett pledged nurses would be on the resistance's frontline.
  Contractors pledge that disruption will be kept to a minimum, following widespread complaints during the last excavation.
  She pledged that, as promised on the doorsteps, during the canvass, she would now be going back to talk to people and would be listening to what they had to say.
  Mayor Martin Winter has pledged no member of staff at the current schools will be without a job as a result of the changes.
  Dr Nelson announced the $6million pilot program in May, pledging that families with children who struggle to read and write in Year 3 would secure assistance.
  News reports also cited Russian officials as pledging that elections for a new Chechen president would take place within four months, as called for in the republic's constitution.
  He's pledged to continue to improve services so that customers get a better deal in the future.
  At midnight tomorrow a deadline set by the US for countries to sign an agreement pledging that they will never hand over any of its citizens to the court will expire.
  During the election campaign in 1964, Ayub Khan had pledged that if elected to the post of president he would remove corruption from all spheres of life.
  In-coming President Sean Kelly has pledged that the tournament stays as long as the players want it.
  Moreover, Iceland has pledged the consumer will not have to pay more for organic products, which are usually more expensive.
  He also called on rich countries to pledge that more than half of the new aid promised at the Monterrey Conference in March will go to Africa.
  Some politicians, declaring themselves to be servants of the people, have pledged that they would be like faithful dogs.
  McConnell has pledged that pre-school children will not receive sex education and that the morning-after pill will not be handed out in schools.
  Synonyms
  promise, give one's word, vow, swear, give an assurance, give an undertaking, undertake, take an oath, swear an oath, engage, contract, commit oneself, bind oneself, declare, affirm, avow, state
2. 1.2no object, with infinitive Solemnly undertake to do something.
  they pledged to continue the campaign for funding
  Example sentencesExamples
  They originally pledged to continue action for two weeks but ultimately agreed to hold a meeting with Mr. Milloy which took place on Monday, November 15.
  City centre officers are also pledged to have more of an impact on cycle thefts and on cyclists riding in restricted areas.
  But let's not throw sticks at her - she's pledged to become part of the order, rather than the chaos of society.
  He was pledged to withdraw 1300 Spanish troops from Iraq.
  He's pledged to execute every family that will not bend a knee to him.
  Well, I'm pledged to build this Green Party effort and to get more candidates at the local, state and national level, yes.
  He seems obsessed with the quick hit, his strategies geared more to press conferences than to long-term, practical solutions to the stuff he's pledged to protect us from.
  Not only have reform groups solemnly pledged to bring facts and common sense to the debate, they propose societal acceptance of expanded, legal use of drugs by adults.
  As a bishop, she is pledged to uphold church law and file charges against pastors who openly defy it.
  He is also pledged to get rid of the secrecy that seems to bedevil things going on at the Town Hall.
  This organization is pledged to work for justice in the church and for the implementation of due process procedures.
  These are the international legal structures in place and we are pledged to abide by them.
  He was also pledged to be married soon, after all.
  The world will be just as dangerous the day after we have solemnly pledged to ignore its dangers.
  But how best we secure the reform and additional investment that are vital if we are to deliver to the people we are pledged to serve.
  Whereby all men were pledged to defend the rights of each man, and each man to defend the rights of all men.
  We are pledged to creating one million new homeowners by 2009.
  On one hand, I am pledged to be an advocate for the patient's best interests.
  But he will need more than semantics to see him through this one the more so as he is pledged to cut the public spending increase to single digits by 2004 and onwards.
  Yet still, Americans are stationed in Europe and Americans are still pledged to risk their blood and treasure in Europe's defense.
3. 1.3 Undertake formally to give.
  Japan pledged $100 million in humanitarian aid
  to pledge allegiance
  Example sentencesExamples
  Less than half of the $5 billion pledged at an international donors conference for Afghanistan has turned up.
  A total of US $100 million is already pledged to support the participation of poorer countries.
  Donors pledged more than $4.5 billion for rebuilding the shattered country at the gathering on Monday and Tuesday.
  The UN says $1.2bn in aid has been pledged so far, for about five million survivors.
  So he was pledged financial income under commercial cover.
  To pledge you need the barcode from one of their promotional packs, but no purchase is necessary - you can simply write down the barcode when you're in the supermarket.
  "You hear of all this money being pledged by the government for education.
  His company has already pledged a donation of " several thousand pounds".
  Foreign countries have pledged US $4.5 billion in aid to rebuild Sri Lanka.
  Secondly, he pledged more money for flood defences.
  The IOC has pledged US $25 million to fund the agency's first year.
  Tokyo has pledged US $5 billion in new grants and loans by 2007 for reconstruction.
  The $3.7 billion pledged by donors will be just enough to sustain current programmes.
  Transport bosses have pledged more cash for police patrols to protect passengers on night bus services in Manchester.
  Japan has pledged to donate $250 million in reconstruction assistance in the first year.
  An earlier forecast of aid to be pledged at the conference was also put at $3 billion.
  A spokesman for the Department of Transport said the government had already pledged cash to support the three planned extensions.
  Synonyms
  undertake to give, promise, promise to give, donate, contribute, give, make a gift of, put oneself down for, put up
2Law
with object Give as security on a loan.
the creditor to whom the land is pledged
Example sentencesExamples
- Each called for the periodic restoration of land which had been pledged as security and forfeited for unpaid debt.
- In England it is possible to pledge bearer securities by handing over the certificates themselves.
- The courts therefore ruled that wives could pledge their husbands' credit for ‘necessaries’ but not for luxuries.
- The manager says in his statement that those shares had been pledged as security for another loan.
- When the land is pledged for a loan of Rs.500 the oral deal between Shamu's mother and the money lender Lala is that until the loan is paid, one fourth of the harvest will be paid to Lala towards interest.
Synonyms
mortgage, put up as collateral, guarantee, pawn
3archaic with object Drink to the health of.
Synonyms
pay tribute to, drink the health of, drink to the health of, drink to, salute, honour
4US with object Promise to join (a fraternity or sorority)
Francie and I pledged the same sorority
Example sentencesExamples
- It's like pledging a fraternity and going through basic training at the same time.
- It's about a mess of girls living together in one house while they wait to pledge a Sorority.
- She already knows which sorority she wants to pledge Freshman year of college, and thinks Creed is ‘a little too hardcore for me.’
- If your school has Greek life, consider rushing… even if you don't end up pledging you'll still meet a bunch of people.
- As the President of the George Washington chapter of Tau Mu, I would like to formally invite both of you to pledge our fraternity.
- And tomorrow, he's pledging the SBT fraternity.
- For some, it means pledging a sorority or fraternity.
- When I was in college, one of the girls in my dorm was pledging a sorority and happened to mention that she was going to a big frat party.
- In 1990, the presidents of the eight largest historically Black fraternities and sororities ended pledging.

Origin

Middle English (denoting a person acting as surety for another): from Old French plege, from medieval Latin plebium, perhaps related to the Germanic base of plight.

单词	pledge
释义	Definition of pledge in English: pledge noun plɛdʒplɛdʒ 1A solemn promise or undertaking. with infinitive the conference ended with a joint pledge to limit pollution Example sentencesExamples The court remonstrated that the edict did away with the last vestiges of its authority despite solemn pledges of previous kings. Does it seem to you that Americans are particularly fond of symbols and pledges and oaths? Underfunding the United Nations seems both unwise, and contrary to solemn pledges. Now, both parties had made a solemn pledge never to do this. That should be a solemn pledge for anyone who works in the space program, he said. There have been persistent reports by the Director General of violations of Iran's nuclear pledges, its promises and commitments and its treaty obligations. We had shaken on it, writing it down as a solemn pledge against dating one boy. Unity was the work of leaders, he said, adding: ‘This is my solemn pledge: I will work to build a single nation of justice and opportunity.’ Just bear with me as I stand aside to raise my hand and utter a solemn pledge that the following paragraph will make more sense than the first. After the poll is over, the promises and pledges will be shelved and the program of big business will prevail no matter what its impact on working people. Concurrently, they were making solemn pledges that they had no intention to do so. The solemn pledge taken included an oath swearing to quit the drug habit and to avoid association with former friends and others still involved with drugs. This must be a solemn pledge secure in the knowledge that in serving the best interests of children, one serves the best interests of all humanity. They have given me their solemn pledge, and I hope that they will be able to resist the many temptations around them. Under twinkling lights and shimmering tulle, 150 or so teens in Central Texas made a solemn pledge. In amongst this vast morass of loosely worded pledges was an absolute gem, a truly marvellous item, something which we've been waiting for far too long to see on the statute books. The boys took a solemn pledge at a nondescript hockey stadium in Poland. The conclusion is a pressing exhortation to Catholics to be discerning, and a pledge to undertake a critical dialogue with those affected by New Age influences. As part of their membership, each scout has to make a pledge and promise to do duty to God, their country and others. Would you sign a pledge to limit the number of flights you take each year? Synonyms promise, undertaking, vow, word, word of honour, commitment, assurance, oath, covenant, bond, agreement, guarantee, warrant 1.1 A promise of a donation to charity. appeals for emergency relief met with pledges totalling £250,000,000 Example sentencesExamples A total of 402 households have responded through gifts or pledges and the total amount pledged represents more than twice the target figure of 96,170 euro. So far the charity has received donations and pledges from the public amounting to around £9,200 but needs £50,000 to survive until the next financial year. Bath rugby players joined them at their Trowbridge offices to take pledges for the charity. With pledges and donations throughout the day he has raised £140 but hopes the amount will increase. The Trust has received more than £225,000 in donations and pledges towards its fund-raising target of £500,000. But with most big pledges made, further donations were expected to slow to a trickle. On that night, the velodrome will be welcoming donations and pledges for Dave's rehab, prosthetics and education. Eighty firms responded, and although half expressed a serious intent to meet pledges, they acknowledged they could not give a guarantee about the future. Despite the pledges and promises of money, none had actually materialised. The money is a welcome boost to the donations and pledges of cash already made since the appeal's launch in September. In addition to that money, the Trust has now received more than £200,000 of donations and pledges towards the target. Additional pledges and donations are actively sought and encouraged. According to Associated Press, the US and other nations were expected to announce pledges totalling $4.5 billion at the London meeting. Donations and pledges from fans neared £13,000. A further £30,000 will be added to the total if pledges made then are realised now. Others had made pledges but not actual donations. He had charitable pledges and estates fees totaling some $9 million, according to J.P. Morgan sources. I have set up a PayPal account specifically for donations and pledges. An hour later Abe turns to his wife and asks, ‘Esther, did we pay our charity pledge cheque to Beth Shalom Synagogue yet?’ During the show many people of prominence and film and singing stars will be on hand to receive phone calls and accept pledges of donations. 1.2the pledge A solemn undertaking to abstain from alcohol. she persuaded Arthur to take the pledge Example sentencesExamples At the end of the school year in June there will be a special Mass of Commitment during which the children will have an opportunity to take a pledge to abstain from harmful drugs and alcoholic drink. Gary Locke, in a valedictory to the judiciary, on Monday urged judges to take the pledge against drinking in public - or at least to hold themselves to a single drink. Matt told his doubting mother that he was going to take the pledge. Ministers at one time had to take a pledge not to drink, encouraging their congregations to do likewise. Like the first taste of scotch to a former alcoholic who breaks the pledge, what followed was a raging thirst for everything and anything western. Both boys had taken the pledge and didn't drink. Anyone who wishes to take the pledge is requested to attend this meeting. In his homily he urged the young people to remain loyal to the pledge to abstain from alcohol which they were taking, and warned them of the evil effect on society from the use of drugs. 2Law A thing that is given as security for the fulfilment of a contract or the payment of a debt and is liable to forfeiture in the event of failure. he had given the object as a pledge to a creditor Example sentencesExamples The borrower retains ownership of the pledge except on default on the loan, and then the pawnbroker has the opportunity to sell those goods. In the table below, enter the information specific to your Pledge of Security and Loan Agreement. The sense of the pledge as debt implied by both translations suggests that the vow or promise is predicated on a loss already inscribed in the speech act. Synonyms surety, bond, security, collateral, guarantee, deposit, pawn archaic gage, earnest 2.1 A thing given as a token of love, favour, or loyalty. I have no intention of giving you anything that could be held against me as a pledge Example sentencesExamples As a pledge of his loyalty to them Jaffeir places Belvidera in the charge of their leader, Renault, but without explaining the reason. Their kisses weren't frantic like they had been before, but rather more pledges of love for one another. Li Xiucheng returned, bringing his entire family with him as a pledge of loyalty. Synonyms token, symbol, sign, mark, testimony, proof, evidence, badge 3archaic The drinking of a person's health; a toast. Example sentencesExamples Stand, and let us hear your pledge for the health of our land and people! Synonyms tribute, salute, salutation verb plɛdʒplɛdʒ 1with object and infinitive Commit (a person or organization) by a solemn promise. the government pledged itself to deal with environmental problems Example sentencesExamples Italy has pledged troops, ships and fighter jets, although no Italian military contingent has left for the front. In contrast, an average of $250 per person was pledged to the citizens of Bosnia, East Timor, Kosovo and Rwanda. In a centuries-old tradition some village parents pledge a young daughter to the goddess Yalluma. The ‘reforms’ to which he says he is steadfastly pledged are not reforms at all. Virginia and Tennessee had 151 pledged delegates at stake. We are at war, but against no nation; we have an enemy, but it wears no uniform; we are pledged to victory, but may not recognise it when it is achieved. They also selflessly pledged themselves to undertake great sacrifices for the cause of their country. But we commit and pledge our best efforts to finding a way to make it work. The king watches over the whole kingdom and the people cry to him and pledge him allegiance meaning that they have light in their hearts until the end of days. Both France and Germany have pledged elite troops, but the US has not yet taken up their offer. Then they pledge those three people to making nice-nice to three others, and so on around the world and into outer space. United Nations members are pledged to collective security, i.e. to protecting any member nation from aggression at the hands of another. He also pledged four fighter aircraft, three frigates and two refueling aircraft. The others co-defendants stood up, pledging allegiance to him. Those who had already pledged him their votes spent last week looking at their shoes. Half a million immigrants pledge their allegiance to the United States each year. For all the speculation about the evil that goes on in these organizations, all of which pledge their members to secrecy, I can assure you nothing nefarious occurs. The Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Reverend David Stancliffe, has pledged his wholehearted support to an appeal launched by Oxfam. They pledged doctors, medical supplies, financial aid, and rescuers with sniffer dogs and equipment to locate survivors. Various countries pledged soldiers, bases and funds to the war in Afghanistan. Ministers are also consulting on plans to copy citizenship ceremonies in Australia and Canada, where citizens are encouraged to take part in ceremonies pledging their allegiance to their country. 1.1with clause Formally declare or promise that something is or will be the case. the Prime Minister pledged that there would be no increase in VAT Example sentencesExamples She had one week to ensure the wages were paid or to pledge that the contractor would not be given any more business. He's pledged to continue to improve services so that customers get a better deal in the future. He also called on rich countries to pledge that more than half of the new aid promised at the Monterrey Conference in March will go to Africa. Pembrokeshire County Council will be redoubling its efforts to market the second call centre building, pledged its leader, Councillor Maurice Hughes. Concerns about the troubled construction and engineering firm have led campus chiefs to pledge that all students promised a room will still be housed in September. In November Roosevelt conveniently won re-election to an unprecedented third presidential term, while pledging that the USA would not go to war. McConnell has pledged that pre-school children will not receive sex education and that the morning-after pill will not be handed out in schools. Contractors pledge that disruption will be kept to a minimum, following widespread complaints during the last excavation. Some politicians, declaring themselves to be servants of the people, have pledged that they would be like faithful dogs. World football chiefs have given the go-ahead for a single UK football team to be picked to compete in the Olympic games, pledging that it will not endanger the future of the Scotland squad. During the election campaign in 1964, Ayub Khan had pledged that if elected to the post of president he would remove corruption from all spheres of life. News reports also cited Russian officials as pledging that elections for a new Chechen president would take place within four months, as called for in the republic's constitution. Mayor Martin Winter has pledged no member of staff at the current schools will be without a job as a result of the changes. She pledged that, as promised on the doorsteps, during the canvass, she would now be going back to talk to people and would be listening to what they had to say. Dr Nelson announced the $6million pilot program in May, pledging that families with children who struggle to read and write in Year 3 would secure assistance. At midnight tomorrow a deadline set by the US for countries to sign an agreement pledging that they will never hand over any of its citizens to the court will expire. In-coming President Sean Kelly has pledged that the tournament stays as long as the players want it. He must now seriously consider if September 13, the date he pledged to unilaterally declare independence, really is worth heralding as the momentous deadline. Moreover, Iceland has pledged the consumer will not have to pay more for organic products, which are usually more expensive. Levett pledged nurses would be on the resistance's frontline. Synonyms promise, give one's word, vow, swear, give an assurance, give an undertaking, undertake, take an oath, swear an oath, engage, contract, commit oneself, bind oneself, declare, affirm, avow, state rare asseverate 1.2no object, with infinitive Solemnly undertake to do something. they pledged to continue the campaign for funding Example sentencesExamples The world will be just as dangerous the day after we have solemnly pledged to ignore its dangers. City centre officers are also pledged to have more of an impact on cycle thefts and on cyclists riding in restricted areas. This organization is pledged to work for justice in the church and for the implementation of due process procedures. But let's not throw sticks at her - she's pledged to become part of the order, rather than the chaos of society. Well, I'm pledged to build this Green Party effort and to get more candidates at the local, state and national level, yes. But he will need more than semantics to see him through this one the more so as he is pledged to cut the public spending increase to single digits by 2004 and onwards. He's pledged to execute every family that will not bend a knee to him. We are pledged to creating one million new homeowners by 2009. They originally pledged to continue action for two weeks but ultimately agreed to hold a meeting with Mr. Milloy which took place on Monday, November 15. These are the international legal structures in place and we are pledged to abide by them. Whereby all men were pledged to defend the rights of each man, and each man to defend the rights of all men. He was pledged to withdraw 1300 Spanish troops from Iraq. But how best we secure the reform and additional investment that are vital if we are to deliver to the people we are pledged to serve. He was also pledged to be married soon, after all. Yet still, Americans are stationed in Europe and Americans are still pledged to risk their blood and treasure in Europe's defense. As a bishop, she is pledged to uphold church law and file charges against pastors who openly defy it. He is also pledged to get rid of the secrecy that seems to bedevil things going on at the Town Hall. On one hand, I am pledged to be an advocate for the patient's best interests. He seems obsessed with the quick hit, his strategies geared more to press conferences than to long-term, practical solutions to the stuff he's pledged to protect us from. Not only have reform groups solemnly pledged to bring facts and common sense to the debate, they propose societal acceptance of expanded, legal use of drugs by adults. 1.3with object Undertake formally to give. Japan pledged $100 million in humanitarian aid Example sentencesExamples Tokyo has pledged US $5 billion in new grants and loans by 2007 for reconstruction. "You hear of all this money being pledged by the government for education. Donors pledged more than $4.5 billion for rebuilding the shattered country at the gathering on Monday and Tuesday. The IOC has pledged US $25 million to fund the agency's first year. His company has already pledged a donation of " several thousand pounds". A spokesman for the Department of Transport said the government had already pledged cash to support the three planned extensions. Foreign countries have pledged US $4.5 billion in aid to rebuild Sri Lanka. So he was pledged financial income under commercial cover. A total of US $100 million is already pledged to support the participation of poorer countries. Less than half of the $5 billion pledged at an international donors conference for Afghanistan has turned up. The UN says $1.2bn in aid has been pledged so far, for about five million survivors. Japan has pledged to donate $250 million in reconstruction assistance in the first year. An earlier forecast of aid to be pledged at the conference was also put at $3 billion. The $3.7 billion pledged by donors will be just enough to sustain current programmes. Secondly, he pledged more money for flood defences. To pledge you need the barcode from one of their promotional packs, but no purchase is necessary - you can simply write down the barcode when you're in the supermarket. Transport bosses have pledged more cash for police patrols to protect passengers on night bus services in Manchester. Synonyms undertake to give, promise (to give), donate, contribute, give, make a gift of, put oneself down for, put up British covenant 2Law with object Give as security on a loan. the creditor to whom the land is pledged Example sentencesExamples In England it is possible to pledge bearer securities by handing over the certificates themselves. When the land is pledged for a loan of Rs.500 the oral deal between Shamu's mother and the money lender Lala is that until the loan is paid, one fourth of the harvest will be paid to Lala towards interest. The courts therefore ruled that wives could pledge their husbands' credit for ‘necessaries’ but not for luxuries. The manager says in his statement that those shares had been pledged as security for another loan. Each called for the periodic restoration of land which had been pledged as security and forfeited for unpaid debt. Synonyms mortgage, put up as collateral, guarantee, pawn archaic gage, plight 3archaic with object Drink to the health of. in his hand a sculptured goblet, as he pledged the merchant kings Synonyms pay tribute to, drink the health of, drink to the health of, drink to, salute, honour Derivatives pledger noun ˈplɛdʒəˈplɛdʒər That person will agree to be all the other pledgers ' representative in the House of Lords. Example sentencesExamples Even so, the local authority would be aware of the statistics of the American programme, from whence they get their inspiration, and its 88 per cent failure rate amongst pledgers. If those youths are less likely to use contraceptives at first intercourse, are most of the pledgers putting themselves at greater risk of pregnancy or disease? Among the study's findings: 59% of males who did not pledge abstinence used a condom during sex, while only 40% of male pledgers used one. Virginity pledgers are also less likely to know their STD status - increasing the chances they will infect a partner or suffer long-term health consequences. pledgor noun plɛdʒˈɔːˈplɛdʒər Law A person who deposits something as security for the fulfilment of a contract or the payment of a debt. legal title to the collateral remains with the pledgor Example sentencesExamples Under English law, it said, there could be no doubt that a pledgee like the bank might hand back to the pledgor as his agent goods it had pledged for the purposes of sale, without diminishing the power of the security. It will be recalled that a pledge, as it involves the transfer of possession, does not require registration under the Bills of Sale Acts 1878-1891 nor, in the case of a corporate pledgor, the Companies Act 1985, section 396. Origin Middle English (denoting a person acting as surety for another): from Old French plege, from medieval Latin plebium, perhaps related to the Germanic base of plight². plight from Old English: In the traditional marriage ceremony the bride and groom each say ‘I plight thee my troth’, meaning ‘I pledge my word’. Plight means ‘to promise solemnly’, and pledge (Middle English) is probably a distant relative. Troth is an old variant of truth, meaning ‘giving your word’ and still preserved in betroth (Middle English). The other meaning of plight, ‘a predicament’, is from Old French plit ‘fold’, suggesting the idea of a difficult or complicated situation. Other words from plit include Middle English pliant (Late Middle English) literally ‘foldable’; and pliable (Late Middle English); pliers (mid 16th century) tools for bending things; and ply (Late Middle English) in the sense of ‘thickness’ as in plywood (early 20th century). (The other ply as in ply with drink, is simply a shortening of apply, see appliance). Pleat and plait (Middle English) are further relatives. Compliant (mid 17th century) looks as if it should be a relative, but its immediate source, to comply (early 17th century), originally came from Latin complere ‘to fulfil, accomplish’, although compliant later developed senses influenced by its similarity to pliant. Rhymes allege, dredge, edge, fledge, hedge, kedge, ledge, reg, sedge, sledge, veg, wedge Definition of pledge in US English: pledge nounplejplɛdʒ 1A solemn promise or undertaking. with infinitive the conference ended with a joint pledge to limit pollution Example sentencesExamples That should be a solemn pledge for anyone who works in the space program, he said. Unity was the work of leaders, he said, adding: ‘This is my solemn pledge: I will work to build a single nation of justice and opportunity.’ This must be a solemn pledge secure in the knowledge that in serving the best interests of children, one serves the best interests of all humanity. The court remonstrated that the edict did away with the last vestiges of its authority despite solemn pledges of previous kings. After the poll is over, the promises and pledges will be shelved and the program of big business will prevail no matter what its impact on working people. Underfunding the United Nations seems both unwise, and contrary to solemn pledges. Under twinkling lights and shimmering tulle, 150 or so teens in Central Texas made a solemn pledge. In amongst this vast morass of loosely worded pledges was an absolute gem, a truly marvellous item, something which we've been waiting for far too long to see on the statute books. The conclusion is a pressing exhortation to Catholics to be discerning, and a pledge to undertake a critical dialogue with those affected by New Age influences. There have been persistent reports by the Director General of violations of Iran's nuclear pledges, its promises and commitments and its treaty obligations. Now, both parties had made a solemn pledge never to do this. The boys took a solemn pledge at a nondescript hockey stadium in Poland. As part of their membership, each scout has to make a pledge and promise to do duty to God, their country and others. Does it seem to you that Americans are particularly fond of symbols and pledges and oaths? The solemn pledge taken included an oath swearing to quit the drug habit and to avoid association with former friends and others still involved with drugs. They have given me their solemn pledge, and I hope that they will be able to resist the many temptations around them. Just bear with me as I stand aside to raise my hand and utter a solemn pledge that the following paragraph will make more sense than the first. We had shaken on it, writing it down as a solemn pledge against dating one boy. Concurrently, they were making solemn pledges that they had no intention to do so. Would you sign a pledge to limit the number of flights you take each year? Synonyms promise, undertaking, vow, word, word of honour, commitment, assurance, oath, covenant, bond, agreement, guarantee, warrant 1.1 A promise of a donation to charity. the company's pledge of 10% of profits to environmental concerns Example sentencesExamples Bath rugby players joined them at their Trowbridge offices to take pledges for the charity. Others had made pledges but not actual donations. A further £30,000 will be added to the total if pledges made then are realised now. Additional pledges and donations are actively sought and encouraged. He had charitable pledges and estates fees totaling some $9 million, according to J.P. Morgan sources. Despite the pledges and promises of money, none had actually materialised. A total of 402 households have responded through gifts or pledges and the total amount pledged represents more than twice the target figure of 96,170 euro. With pledges and donations throughout the day he has raised £140 but hopes the amount will increase. Donations and pledges from fans neared £13,000. In addition to that money, the Trust has now received more than £200,000 of donations and pledges towards the target. During the show many people of prominence and film and singing stars will be on hand to receive phone calls and accept pledges of donations. The money is a welcome boost to the donations and pledges of cash already made since the appeal's launch in September. An hour later Abe turns to his wife and asks, ‘Esther, did we pay our charity pledge cheque to Beth Shalom Synagogue yet?’ The Trust has received more than £225,000 in donations and pledges towards its fund-raising target of £500,000. According to Associated Press, the US and other nations were expected to announce pledges totalling $4.5 billion at the London meeting. So far the charity has received donations and pledges from the public amounting to around £9,200 but needs £50,000 to survive until the next financial year. But with most big pledges made, further donations were expected to slow to a trickle. On that night, the velodrome will be welcoming donations and pledges for Dave's rehab, prosthetics and education. Eighty firms responded, and although half expressed a serious intent to meet pledges, they acknowledged they could not give a guarantee about the future. I have set up a PayPal account specifically for donations and pledges. 1.2the pledge A solemn undertaking to abstain from alcohol. she persuaded Arthur to take the pledge Example sentencesExamples Both boys had taken the pledge and didn't drink. In his homily he urged the young people to remain loyal to the pledge to abstain from alcohol which they were taking, and warned them of the evil effect on society from the use of drugs. Like the first taste of scotch to a former alcoholic who breaks the pledge, what followed was a raging thirst for everything and anything western. Anyone who wishes to take the pledge is requested to attend this meeting. Gary Locke, in a valedictory to the judiciary, on Monday urged judges to take the pledge against drinking in public - or at least to hold themselves to a single drink. Ministers at one time had to take a pledge not to drink, encouraging their congregations to do likewise. Matt told his doubting mother that he was going to take the pledge. At the end of the school year in June there will be a special Mass of Commitment during which the children will have an opportunity to take a pledge to abstain from harmful drugs and alcoholic drink. 2Law A thing that is given as security for the fulfillment of a contract or the payment of a debt and is liable to forfeiture in the event of failure. Example sentencesExamples The sense of the pledge as debt implied by both translations suggests that the vow or promise is predicated on a loss already inscribed in the speech act. In the table below, enter the information specific to your Pledge of Security and Loan Agreement. The borrower retains ownership of the pledge except on default on the loan, and then the pawnbroker has the opportunity to sell those goods. Synonyms surety, bond, security, collateral, guarantee, deposit, pawn 2.1 A thing given as a token of love, favor, or loyalty. Example sentencesExamples As a pledge of his loyalty to them Jaffeir places Belvidera in the charge of their leader, Renault, but without explaining the reason. Their kisses weren't frantic like they had been before, but rather more pledges of love for one another. Li Xiucheng returned, bringing his entire family with him as a pledge of loyalty. Synonyms token, symbol, sign, mark, testimony, proof, evidence, badge 3archaic The drinking to a person's health; a toast. Example sentencesExamples Stand, and let us hear your pledge for the health of our land and people! Synonyms tribute, salute, salutation 4US A person who has promised to join a fraternity or sorority. Example sentencesExamples For example, does this Bridgewater State College pledge, Sigma Pi fraternity, character know that he's googlable? For a long time, getting put on the audit committee has been akin to being a pledge in a fraternity who had to scrub toilets and spend hours sitting naked on ice blocks before he become a brother. One of them would be in charge of pledge recruitment, and the other would be set loose on sorority row to set up weekend parties. But Barry himself looks instinctively like a new fraternity pledge who barely made it into the house. verbplejplɛdʒ 1with object and infinitive Commit (a person or organization) by a solemn promise. with object and infinitive the government pledged itself to deal with environmental problems Example sentencesExamples United Nations members are pledged to collective security, i.e. to protecting any member nation from aggression at the hands of another. Half a million immigrants pledge their allegiance to the United States each year. We are at war, but against no nation; we have an enemy, but it wears no uniform; we are pledged to victory, but may not recognise it when it is achieved. Both France and Germany have pledged elite troops, but the US has not yet taken up their offer. The king watches over the whole kingdom and the people cry to him and pledge him allegiance meaning that they have light in their hearts until the end of days. For all the speculation about the evil that goes on in these organizations, all of which pledge their members to secrecy, I can assure you nothing nefarious occurs. Then they pledge those three people to making nice-nice to three others, and so on around the world and into outer space. He also pledged four fighter aircraft, three frigates and two refueling aircraft. In contrast, an average of $250 per person was pledged to the citizens of Bosnia, East Timor, Kosovo and Rwanda. The Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Reverend David Stancliffe, has pledged his wholehearted support to an appeal launched by Oxfam. The others co-defendants stood up, pledging allegiance to him. They pledged doctors, medical supplies, financial aid, and rescuers with sniffer dogs and equipment to locate survivors. But we commit and pledge our best efforts to finding a way to make it work. Various countries pledged soldiers, bases and funds to the war in Afghanistan. They also selflessly pledged themselves to undertake great sacrifices for the cause of their country. Those who had already pledged him their votes spent last week looking at their shoes. Italy has pledged troops, ships and fighter jets, although no Italian military contingent has left for the front. In a centuries-old tradition some village parents pledge a young daughter to the goddess Yalluma. Virginia and Tennessee had 151 pledged delegates at stake. The ‘reforms’ to which he says he is steadfastly pledged are not reforms at all. Ministers are also consulting on plans to copy citizenship ceremonies in Australia and Canada, where citizens are encouraged to take part in ceremonies pledging their allegiance to their country. 1.1with clause Formally declare or promise that something is or will be the case. the president pledged that 20,000 government buildings would have solar roofs Example sentencesExamples He must now seriously consider if September 13, the date he pledged to unilaterally declare independence, really is worth heralding as the momentous deadline. She had one week to ensure the wages were paid or to pledge that the contractor would not be given any more business. Pembrokeshire County Council will be redoubling its efforts to market the second call centre building, pledged its leader, Councillor Maurice Hughes. Concerns about the troubled construction and engineering firm have led campus chiefs to pledge that all students promised a room will still be housed in September. World football chiefs have given the go-ahead for a single UK football team to be picked to compete in the Olympic games, pledging that it will not endanger the future of the Scotland squad. In November Roosevelt conveniently won re-election to an unprecedented third presidential term, while pledging that the USA would not go to war. Levett pledged nurses would be on the resistance's frontline. Contractors pledge that disruption will be kept to a minimum, following widespread complaints during the last excavation. She pledged that, as promised on the doorsteps, during the canvass, she would now be going back to talk to people and would be listening to what they had to say. Mayor Martin Winter has pledged no member of staff at the current schools will be without a job as a result of the changes. Dr Nelson announced the $6million pilot program in May, pledging that families with children who struggle to read and write in Year 3 would secure assistance. News reports also cited Russian officials as pledging that elections for a new Chechen president would take place within four months, as called for in the republic's constitution. He's pledged to continue to improve services so that customers get a better deal in the future. At midnight tomorrow a deadline set by the US for countries to sign an agreement pledging that they will never hand over any of its citizens to the court will expire. During the election campaign in 1964, Ayub Khan had pledged that if elected to the post of president he would remove corruption from all spheres of life. In-coming President Sean Kelly has pledged that the tournament stays as long as the players want it. Moreover, Iceland has pledged the consumer will not have to pay more for organic products, which are usually more expensive. He also called on rich countries to pledge that more than half of the new aid promised at the Monterrey Conference in March will go to Africa. Some politicians, declaring themselves to be servants of the people, have pledged that they would be like faithful dogs. McConnell has pledged that pre-school children will not receive sex education and that the morning-after pill will not be handed out in schools. Synonyms promise, give one's word, vow, swear, give an assurance, give an undertaking, undertake, take an oath, swear an oath, engage, contract, commit oneself, bind oneself, declare, affirm, avow, state 1.2no object, with infinitive Solemnly undertake to do something. they pledged to continue the campaign for funding Example sentencesExamples They originally pledged to continue action for two weeks but ultimately agreed to hold a meeting with Mr. Milloy which took place on Monday, November 15. City centre officers are also pledged to have more of an impact on cycle thefts and on cyclists riding in restricted areas. But let's not throw sticks at her - she's pledged to become part of the order, rather than the chaos of society. He was pledged to withdraw 1300 Spanish troops from Iraq. He's pledged to execute every family that will not bend a knee to him. Well, I'm pledged to build this Green Party effort and to get more candidates at the local, state and national level, yes. He seems obsessed with the quick hit, his strategies geared more to press conferences than to long-term, practical solutions to the stuff he's pledged to protect us from. Not only have reform groups solemnly pledged to bring facts and common sense to the debate, they propose societal acceptance of expanded, legal use of drugs by adults. As a bishop, she is pledged to uphold church law and file charges against pastors who openly defy it. He is also pledged to get rid of the secrecy that seems to bedevil things going on at the Town Hall. This organization is pledged to work for justice in the church and for the implementation of due process procedures. These are the international legal structures in place and we are pledged to abide by them. He was also pledged to be married soon, after all. The world will be just as dangerous the day after we have solemnly pledged to ignore its dangers. But how best we secure the reform and additional investment that are vital if we are to deliver to the people we are pledged to serve. Whereby all men were pledged to defend the rights of each man, and each man to defend the rights of all men. We are pledged to creating one million new homeowners by 2009. On one hand, I am pledged to be an advocate for the patient's best interests. But he will need more than semantics to see him through this one the more so as he is pledged to cut the public spending increase to single digits by 2004 and onwards. Yet still, Americans are stationed in Europe and Americans are still pledged to risk their blood and treasure in Europe's defense. 1.3 Undertake formally to give. Japan pledged $100 million in humanitarian aid to pledge allegiance Example sentencesExamples Less than half of the $5 billion pledged at an international donors conference for Afghanistan has turned up. A total of US $100 million is already pledged to support the participation of poorer countries. Donors pledged more than $4.5 billion for rebuilding the shattered country at the gathering on Monday and Tuesday. The UN says $1.2bn in aid has been pledged so far, for about five million survivors. So he was pledged financial income under commercial cover. To pledge you need the barcode from one of their promotional packs, but no purchase is necessary - you can simply write down the barcode when you're in the supermarket. "You hear of all this money being pledged by the government for education. His company has already pledged a donation of " several thousand pounds". Foreign countries have pledged US $4.5 billion in aid to rebuild Sri Lanka. Secondly, he pledged more money for flood defences. The IOC has pledged US $25 million to fund the agency's first year. Tokyo has pledged US $5 billion in new grants and loans by 2007 for reconstruction. The $3.7 billion pledged by donors will be just enough to sustain current programmes. Transport bosses have pledged more cash for police patrols to protect passengers on night bus services in Manchester. Japan has pledged to donate $250 million in reconstruction assistance in the first year. An earlier forecast of aid to be pledged at the conference was also put at $3 billion. A spokesman for the Department of Transport said the government had already pledged cash to support the three planned extensions. Synonyms undertake to give, promise, promise to give, donate, contribute, give, make a gift of, put oneself down for, put up 2Law with object Give as security on a loan. the creditor to whom the land is pledged Example sentencesExamples Each called for the periodic restoration of land which had been pledged as security and forfeited for unpaid debt. In England it is possible to pledge bearer securities by handing over the certificates themselves. The courts therefore ruled that wives could pledge their husbands' credit for ‘necessaries’ but not for luxuries. The manager says in his statement that those shares had been pledged as security for another loan. When the land is pledged for a loan of Rs.500 the oral deal between Shamu's mother and the money lender Lala is that until the loan is paid, one fourth of the harvest will be paid to Lala towards interest. Synonyms mortgage, put up as collateral, guarantee, pawn 3archaic with object Drink to the health of. Synonyms pay tribute to, drink the health of, drink to the health of, drink to, salute, honour 4US with object Promise to join (a fraternity or sorority) Francie and I pledged the same sorority Example sentencesExamples It's like pledging a fraternity and going through basic training at the same time. It's about a mess of girls living together in one house while they wait to pledge a Sorority. She already knows which sorority she wants to pledge Freshman year of college, and thinks Creed is ‘a little too hardcore for me.’ If your school has Greek life, consider rushing… even if you don't end up pledging you'll still meet a bunch of people. As the President of the George Washington chapter of Tau Mu, I would like to formally invite both of you to pledge our fraternity. And tomorrow, he's pledging the SBT fraternity. For some, it means pledging a sorority or fraternity. When I was in college, one of the girls in my dorm was pledging a sorority and happened to mention that she was going to a big frat party. In 1990, the presidents of the eight largest historically Black fraternities and sororities ended pledging. Origin Middle English (denoting a person acting as surety for another): from Old French plege, from medieval Latin plebium, perhaps related to the Germanic base of plight.
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