pledge of allegiance

Meanings

1. 1nounsingularAmerican

   A short spoken promise of loyalty to the United States and its flag, recited at schools and public events.

   Grammar: Usually with the: recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

   Patterns

   • recite the pledge of allegiance
   • say the pledge of allegiance

   The students stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance every morning.

   He placed his hand over his heart for the pledge of allegiance.

   The meeting began with the pledge of allegiance.

2. 2nouncountable

   Any formal promise of loyalty to a country, ruler or cause.

   Grammar: Countable in this general sense: a pledge of allegiance to the crown.

   Patterns

   • a pledge of allegiance to something

   The new citizens each made a pledge of allegiance to their adopted country.

   The knights swore a pledge of allegiance to the king.

Word forms

Common combinations

recite the pledge of allegiance

Children recite the pledge of allegiance before class.

lead the pledge of allegiance

A student was chosen to lead the pledge of allegiance.

stand for the pledge of allegiance

Everyone stood for the pledge of allegiance.

swear a pledge of allegiance

Soldiers swear a pledge of allegiance on joining.

pledge of allegiance to the flag

He knew the pledge of allegiance to the flag by heart.

Synonyms and how they differ

oath of allegiance

Oath of allegiance is more legal and formal, used for citizenship and military service.

vow

Vow is a general solemn promise, not necessarily about loyalty to a country.

loyalty oath

Loyalty oath often suggests a political test required of a person, and can sound critical.

Opposites

Word family

pledge verb

to promise solemnly

allegiance noun

loyalty to a person, group or country

allegiant adjective

loyal

Commonly confused: pledge of allegiance or national anthem?

Practice

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