pledge

  • noun 1 a solemn promise or undertaking. 2 Law 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. 3 (the pledge) a solemn undertaking to abstain from alcohol. 4 a thing given as a token of love, favour, or loyalty. 5 archaic the drinking of a person’s health; a toast.

  • verb 1 solemnly undertake to do or give something. 2 Law give as security on a loan. 3 archaic drink to the health of.

  — ORIGIN originally denoting a person acting as surety for another: from Old French plege, from Latin plebium.

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