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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Pledge Definition, Usage & Key Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：formally promise (pledge)

pledge 🔊

/plɛdʒ/

v./n.

To make a formal, serious promise to do or give something.

Pledge meaning illustrated by a person making a solemn promise with hand over heart.

formally promise 🔊

➕

/ˈfɔːrməli ˈprɒmɪs/

v./n.

To solemnly and formally commit oneself to a specific action or course of conduct, often publicly or legally.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'plegium' (a guarantee) & Middle English 'plege' (surety, bail).

💡 Mnemonic

**P**lease **L**egally **E**nsure **D**elivery & **G**uarantee **E**verything. It's a formal, binding promise.

📖 Example

She pledged to stop using single-use plastics for the entire year. 🔊 She made a formal commitment to cease using disposable plastic items for the whole year.

🔗 Collocations

pledge allegiance – to make a formal promise of loyalty, often to a country or flag

pledge support – to formally commit to providing assistance or backing

honor a pledge – to fulfill or keep a promise that was made

🔄 Synonyms

vow (v./n.) – A solemn promise, often of a personal, religious, or binding nature.

swear (v.) – To make a very serious, formal promise, often invoking a divine witness.

commit (v.) – To dedicate oneself to a certain course of action or responsibility.

🚫 Antonyms

renege (v.) – To go back on a promise, commitment, or agreement.

break (v.) – To fail to observe or fulfill an agreement, law, or promise.

🌱 Derivatives

pledgor (n.) – A person who makes a pledge or gives something as security.

📖 Cultural Story

Originated in legal contexts, 'pledge' historically referred to property handed over as security for a debt or obligation, creating a binding guarantee. This evolved into its modern sense of a solemn promise, now widely used in citizenship ceremonies, charitable fundraising, and contractual agreements.

Meaning 2：promised donation (pledge)

pledge 🔊

/plɛdʒ/

v./n.

A sum of money or an object that you formally promise to give, especially to a charity.

Pledge as a donation shown by someone signing a formal pledge form for charity.

promised donation 🔊

➕

/ˈprɒmɪst dəʊˈneɪʃən/

v./n.

A formal promise to give a specific sum of money or an object, especially to a charitable cause or organization, often made before the actual transfer.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The total amount of their donation pledges has exceeded fifty thousand dollars. 🔊 The combined sum of money they have formally promised to donate is now over $50,000.

🔗 Collocations

make a pledge – to formally promise a donation or contribution

fulfill a pledge – to actually give the money or item that was promised

charitable pledge – a promised donation specifically to a charity or non-profit

🔄 Synonyms

donation (n.) – Something that is given to a charity, especially a sum of money.

contribution (n.) – A gift or payment to a common fund or collection.

commitment (n.) – An obligation or promise that restricts freedom of action, often financial.

🚫 Antonyms

withdrawal (n.) – The removal or cancellation of a promised sum or support.