pledge Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a deposit of personal property as security for a debt
    • his saxophone was in pledge
  2. noun someone accepted for membership but not yet fully admitted to the group
  3. noun a drink in honor of or to the health of a person or event
    toast.
  4. noun a binding commitment to do or give or refrain from something
    assurance.
    • an assurance of help when needed
    • signed a pledge never to reveal the secret
  5. verb promise solemnly and formally
    plight.
    • I pledge that I will honor my wife
  6. verb pay (an amount of money) as a contribution to a charity or service, especially at regular intervals
    subscribe.
    • I pledged $10 a month to my favorite radio station
  7. verb propose a toast to
    toast; drink; wassail; salute.
    • Let us toast the birthday girl!
    • Let's drink to the New Year
  8. verb give as a guarantee
    • I pledge my honor
  9. verb bind or secure by a pledge
    • I was pledged to silence

WordNet

Pledge noun
Etymology
OF. plege, pleige, pledge, guaranty, LL. plegium, plivium; akin to OF. plevir to bail, guaranty, perhaps fr. L. praebere to proffer, offer (sc. fidem a trust, a promise of security), but cf. also E. play. Cf. Prebend, Replevin.
Definitions
  1. (Law) The transfer of possession of personal property from a debtor to a creditor as security for a debt or engagement; also, the contract created between the debtor and creditor by a thing being so delivered or deposited, forming a species of bailment; also, that which is so delivered or deposited; something put in pawn. ✍ Pledge is ordinarily confined to personal property; the title or ownership does not pass by it; possession is essential to it. In all these points it differs from a mortgage [see Mortgage]; and in the last, from the hypotheca of the Roman law. See Hypotheca. Story. Kent.
  2. (Old Eng. Law) A person who undertook, or became responsible, for another; a bail; a surety; a hostage. "I am Grumio's pledge." Shak.
  3. A hypothecation without transfer of possession.
  4. Anything given or considered as a security for the performance of an act; a guarantee; as, mutual interest is the best pledge for the performance of treaties. "That voice, their liveliest pledge of hope." Milton.
  5. A promise or agreement by which one binds one's self to do, or to refrain from doing, something; especially, a solemn promise in writing to refrain from using intoxicating liquors or the like; as, to sign the pledge; the mayor had made no pledges. esp. in "take the pledge"
  6. A sentiment to which assent is given by drinking one's health; a toast; a health. Syn. -- See Earnest.
Pledge transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. OF. pleiger to give security. See Pledge, n.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Pledged ; present participle & verbal noun Pledging
Definitions
  1. To deposit, as a chattel, in pledge or pawn; to leave in possession of another as security; as, to pledge one's watch.
  2. To give or pass as a security; to guarantee; to engage; to plight; as, to pledge one's word and honor.
    We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. The Declaration of Independence.
  3. To secure performance of, as by a pledge. Obs.
    To pledge my vow, I give my hand. Shak.
  4. To bind or engage by promise or declaration; to engage solemnly; as, to pledge one's self.
  5. To invite another to drink, by drinking of the cup first, and then handing it to him, as a pledge of good will; hence, to drink the health of; to toast.
    Pledge me, my friend, and drink till thou be'st wise. Cowley.

Webster 1913