pledge

1 noun (C)

1 PROMISE formal a firm promise or agreement, especially one made publicly or officially: Industrial conflicts continued in spite of a no-strike pledge by the unions. | a pledge to do sth: the government's pledge to make no deals with terrorists | fulfil a pledge (=do what you promised): Eisenhower fulfilled his election pledge to end the war in Korea.

2 sign/take the pledge old-fashioned to promise never to drink alcohol, for religious or moral reasons

3 a pledge of love/friendship etc a serious promise of love etc made by two people

4 SOMETHING VALUABLE something valuable that you leave with someone else as proof that you do what you have agreed to do, pay back what you owe etc: She borrowed - and left her gold bracelet as a pledge.

5 AT US COLLEGES someone who has promised to become a member of a university fraternity or sorority in the US but must pass a test before they can join

2 verb (T)

1 to make a formal, usually public, promise that you will do something: pledge to do sth: They have pledged to fight any changes to the abortion laws. | pledge that: The UK government has pledged that the wishes of the minority community in Northern Ireland will be respected. | pledge support/loyalty/solidarity etc (=promise to give your support etc)

2 to make someone give a firm promise: % of members were pledged in advance to vote for the labor program. | pledge yourself to sth: The Republicans pledged themselves to a tough stand against crime.

3 to leave something with someone as a pledge 1 (4)

4 to promise to become a member of a university fraternity or sorority in the US