1. (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.

2. (n.) A person who undertook, or became responsible, for another; a bail; a surety; a hostage.

3. (n.) A hypothecation without transfer of possession.

4. (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.

5. (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.

6. (n.) A sentiment to which assent is given by drinking one's health; a toast; a health.

7. (n.) To deposit, as a chattel, in pledge or pawn; to leave in possession of another as security; as, to pledge one's watch.

8. (n.) To give or pass as a security; to guarantee; to engage; to plight; as, to pledge one's word and honor.

9. (n.) To secure performance of, as by a pledge.

10. (n.) To bind or engage by promise or declaration; to engage solemnly; as, to pledge one's self.

11. (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.

Bible oath Greek accounts payable accounts receivable affiliate agree amount due associate assurance assure avouch avouchment avow bad debts bail belonger bib bill bills bind bond booze borrowing bottomry brother card-carrier card-carrying member cardholder charges charter member cheer chip in chits clubber clubman clubwoman collateral commit committeeman comrade confide consign contract contribute contribute to conventioneer conventioner conventionist countersign covenant debt deposit dip donate to drain the cup drink drink in drink off drink to drink up due dues dues-paying member earnest earnest money engage enlistee enrollee entrust escrow extrajudicial oath faith fellow financial commitment floating debt fraternity man funded debt gage gift gift with give to go bail guarantee guaranty guildsman guzzle handsel health hock honorary member hostage hypothecate imbibe impignorate indebtedness indebtment initiate insider ironclad oath joiner judicial oath kick in liability life member loyalty oath mainprise make a promise make imperative make incumbent maturity member mortgage national debt oath oath of allegiance oath of office obligate obligation oblige official oath one of us outstanding debt parole pass pawn pignus plight pop post promise public debt pull put in hock put in pawn put up quaff recognizance replevin replevy require saddle with score security sip sister socius solemn declaration solemn oath sorority girl sorority woman spout stake subscribe suck suck in suckle sup surety swear sweeten the kitty swig swill test oath tie tipple toast token token payment toss down toss off tribute troth uncollectibles undertake undertaking underwrite unfulfilled pledge vadimonium vadium vouch vouchsafe vow warrant warranty wash down word word of honor