Pledge is a verb, meaning to promise solemnly, and a noun, meaning the promise or its maker or its object.
General
The word pledge is used as a synonym for
oath, a formal and binding engagement, as in
Pledge of Allegiance.
Initiant
A
pledge is also a term used for a new member of a
fraternity or sorority, especially before their
initiation as a brother or sister. This is called the pledge period and sometimes involves
hazing, although new guidelines to reduce hazing have significantly reduced or eliminated hazing to pledges; some national fraternities have abolished the pledge process altogether to prevent hazing. "New member" is the new more
politically correct term being used by many Greek organizations by those who forbid their members to refer to new brothers as pledges.
More on
[ Pledge ]
By Kids 4 Kids Ending School Violence - A branch of the Ribbon of Promise. Student movement to bring school violence to an end.
Student Pledge Against Gun Violence - The Day of National Concern about Young People and Gun Violence and national distribution of the Student Pledge will take place on October 21st, 1999.