From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishpledgepledge1 /pledʒ/ ●○○ noun [countable] 1 promise formalPROMISE a serious promise or agreement, especially one made publicly or officiallypledge of a pledge of support for the planpledge to do something the government’s pledge to make no deals with terroristsmake/take/give a pledge Parents make a pledge to take their children to rehearsals.keep/fulfil/honour a pledge Eisenhower fulfilled his election pledge to end the war in Korea.2 money a promise to give money to an organization Donors have made pledges totaling nearly $4 million.pledge of a pledge of $200 to the public TV station3 something valuablePROMISE something valuable that you leave with someone else as proof that you will do what you have agreed to do4 us collegesSEC someone who has promised to become a member of a fraternity or sorority at an American universityCOLLOCATIONSverbsmake/give a pledgeSeveral European countries made similar pledges.take a pledge literary (=make one, especially formally)He took a pledge never to drink again.keep a pledge (=do what you promised to do)He has not kept his election pledges.fulfil/honour a pledge (=more formal than keep)The time is coming when they will have to honour that pledge.renege on a pledge formal (=not keep it)The government reneged on its electoral pledges.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + pledgean election/campaign/manifesto pledgeThe governor had kept her campaign pledge to slash taxes.a spending pledge British English:I asked him to clarify Labour’s spending pledges.a firm pledgeHe also gave a firm pledge to build up the National Health Service.a solemn pledgeWe will not forget. That is a solemn pledge.
Examples from the Corpus
pledge• Reminiscing about events that are now more than 50 years old, Dole said he could still remember being a pledge trainer.• Insured bonds carry a pledge from a private backer to pay interest and principal on the bonds if the issuer defaults.• Today, at Shiv Shakti, a health post is being opened; a pledge that the people intend to stay here.• All 43 Texas Cowboys and pledges who were at the initiation picnic in Bastrop County tell strikingly similar stories about that night.• The Government has fulfilled at least 50% of its election pledges.• Some studies of specific election pledges and their fulfilment by governments have already been made.• He said he hopes Clinton will follow through on his pledge to restore aid to legal immigrants in later legislation.• We have received pledges of help from various organizations.• The coup leaders have ignored their pledges to hold democratic elections.• Therefore they do not apply to pledges.pledge to do something• Lewis was perfectly correct, even politically correct, to insist that Bowe had reneged on a pledge to fight him first.• To keep campaign pledges to make education his top priority, Clinton wants two new middle-class tax breaks for college tuition.• The President has pledged to make welfare reform a success.• Last month they promised to deal with Gordon Brown's November pledge to reduce road tax.• The suit further alleges that the sheik reneged on repeated oral pledges to provide for her long-term care.• It didn't improve the band's pledge to give value for money.• His speech carried a surprising pledge to end by March a nationwide plague of salary arrears.• Anne and Sarah were true to their pledge to enjoy every moment of their lives after their fright the previous September.pledgepledge2 ●○○ verb [transitive] 1 PROMISEpromise to make a formal, usually public, promise that you will do somethingpledge something to something/somebody Moore pledged $100,000 to the orchestra at the fund-raising dinner.pledge to do something The new governor pledged to reduce crime.pledge that Herrera pledged that his company would give aid to schools.pledge (your) support/loyalty/solidarity etc He pledged his cooperation.pledge yourself to (do) something Trade unions pledged themselves to resist the government plans.► see thesaurus at promise2 PROMISEmake somebody promise to make someone formally promise something Employees were pledged to secrecy.3 PROMISEleave something to leave something with someone as a pledge1(3)4 SECus colleges to promise to become a member of a fraternity or sorority at an American university→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
pledge• Britain has pledged £1.3 million to the UN for refugee work.• Moore has pledged $100,000 to the symphony.• The government has pledged £500,000 worth of aid to the drought- stricken area.• The U.S. has pledged aid to the country.• Should new citizens of Canada pledge allegiance to the queen of Great Britain?• Our switchboard was flooded with calls and thousands bombarded our appeal hotline to pledge donations.• And he pledged that the hospital will be only one facet of a much wider menu of mental health programs.• Rakhmanov immediately pledged to end the fighting.• He recalls Joe Scott blaming the problems on an improperly updated computer system, and pledging to make corrections.• Later Tesco pledged to replace the trees at Golden Hill, Bristol.• Many rock stars have pledged to support the campaign to save the rainforests.• President Clinton supports most of the bill, but has pledged to veto it if the education amendment is included.pledge to do something• Couples who register pledge to be jointly responsible for their basic living expenses.• On Jan. 5 he pledged to continue and consolidate the free-market reforms started by the Mazowiecki government.• Three successive Home Secretaries have stood at the Dispatch Box and pledged to do away with holding prisoners in police cells.• It has pledged to end the deeply unpopular draft and to reduce the 80,000-strong army.• The film companies, however, were pledged to fight the new medium to the last ditch.• More than 400 Wensleydale Smokebusters have pledged to help support some one wanting to give up cigarettes.• The Government stopped it and pledged to save the mountain.From Longman Business Dictionarypledgepledge1 /pledʒ/ noun [countable]1journalism a formal, usually public, promise that you will do somethingthe President’s pledge to make employment his priority2LAWFINANCEsomething that you offer as SECURITY (=an asset that lenders can take if you do not repay) when you borrow moneyHe may have given the painting to someone as a pledge to secure a loan.pledgepledge2 verb [transitive]1journalism to make a formal, usually public, promise that you will do somethingSeveral national charities have pledged money to build the centre.pledge to do somethingThe government pledged to draw up a program for growth and employment.2LAWFINANCEwhen you borrow money, to offer something you own as SECURITY (=something that lenders have a right to take and sell if you do not repay)He will pledge virtually all of his assets, including his personal residences, to secure his borrowings.→ See Verb tableOrigin pledge1 (1300-1400) Old French plege, from Late Latin plebium, from plebere “to pledge” 