pledge

A pledge is a formal promise or undertaking to do something or to refrain from a specified action. It can be a personal vow, a commitment to support a person or cause, or an oath of allegiance or duty. The term is used across legal, financial, charitable, and social contexts.

In everyday usage, pledges often appear in fundraising and civic activities. A pledge can refer to a donor’s planned contribution to a campaign or charity, or to an official pledge of support to a policy, organization, or public initiative. The phrase pledge of allegiance is a well-known example, expressing loyalty to a nation or flag.

In law and finance, a pledge is a form of security interest. A borrower may pledge property to a lender as collateral to secure a loan. The owner of the pledged asset remains the pledgor in many cases, while the lender is the pledgee. If the obligation is not fulfilled, the lender may have the right to seize the pledged property or apply it to satisfy the debt.

In social and organizational contexts, the term is used to describe new members undergoing a recruitment or orientation process, such as a pledge period in fraternities or sororities. Participants are called pledges and work to meet requirements for full membership; the practice varies by organization and has generated diverse perspectives.

Pledge is also a brand name for a line of cleaning products, notably furniture polish, marketed by SC Johnson. The brand name has entered common usage in some regions as a generic term for similar products.