Definition of "pledge"

pledge

/plɛd͡ʒ/

verb
third-person singular simple present pledges, present participle pledging, simple past and past participle pledged
1. To make a solemn promise (to do something).
2. To deposit something as a security; to pawn.
3. (transitive) To give assurance of friendship by the act of drinking; to drink to one's health.
  Quotations
  HARDCASTLE [Taking the cup.] I hope you'll find it to your mind. I have prepared it with my own hands, and I believe you'll own the ingredients are tolerable. Will you be so good as to pledge me, sir? Here, Mr. Marlow, here is to our better acquaintance. [Drinks.]
  1773, Oliver Goldsmith, She Stoops to Conquer
  Reach me my golden cup that stands by thee,And pledge me in it first for courtesy.
  1852, Matthew Arnold, Tristram and Iseult
noun
plural pledges
1. A solemn promise to do something.
  Quotations
  Mr. Biden unveiled the pledge at a White House climate summit for world leaders, declaring that the United States is ready to reclaim a leadership role on climate change.
  2021 April 22, Brad Plumer, Nadja Popovich, “The U.S. Has a New Climate Goal. How Does It Stack Up Globally?”, in The New York Times‎
  1. (with the) A promise to abstain from drinking alcohol.
2. An asset or person temporarily handed over to guarantee the fulfilment of something promised, under threat of permanent loss of the thing handed over; surety, security, hostage.
  Quotations
  Iacke Straw. […] I haue his wife and children pledges, for his ſpeedie returne from the King, to whom he is gone with our meſſage.Tom Miller. Let him take heede hee bring a wiſe anſwere to our worships, or els his pledges goes to the pot.
  1593, anonymous author, The Life and Death of Iacke Straw […], Act I
3. (law) A bailment of personal property to secure payment of a debt without transfer of title.
  1. The personal property so pledged, to be kept until the debt is paid.
4. (university slang) A person who has taken a pledge of allegiance to a college fraternity, but is not yet formally approved.
5. A drinking toast.