- (n.) A hypothecation without transfer of possession.
- (n.) To give or pass as a security; to guarantee; to engage; to plight; as, to pledge one's word and honor.
- (n.) 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.
- (n.) A sentiment to which assent is given by drinking one's health; a toast; a health.
- (n.) To bind or engage by promise or declaration; to engage solemnly; as, to pledge one's self.
- (n.) To deposit, as a chattel, in pledge or pawn; to leave in possession of another as security; as, to pledge one's watch.
- (n.) 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.
- (n.) To secure performance of, as by a pledge.
- (n.) 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.
- (n.) A person who undertook or became responsible, for another; a bail; a surety; a hostage.
- (n.) 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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
| APA | Webster's. (2011). pledge. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/pledge/definitions/2046386 |
| Chicago | Webster's. 2011. "pledge" http://smartdefine.org/pledge/definitions/2046386 (accessed September 20, 2026). |
| Harvard | Webster's 2011, pledge, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/pledge/definitions/2046386>. |
| MLA | Webster's. "pledge" 27 May 2011. Web. 20 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/pledge/definitions/2046386> |