allegiance

[uh-lee-juhns]

noun

1. the loyalty of a citizen to their government or of a subject to their sovereign.

   Antonyms: treason

2. loyalty or devotion to some person, group, cause, or the like.

   Antonyms: treachery

allegiance

/ əˈliːdʒəns /

noun

1. loyalty, as of a subject to his sovereign or of a citizen to his country

2. (in feudal society) the obligations of a vassal to his liege lord See also fealty homage

Other Word Forms

• nonallegiance noun
• overallegiance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of allegiance¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English aliegiaunce, equivalent to a- probably a- ⁵ + liege liege + -aunce -ance; compare Middle French ligeance

Word History and Origins

Origin of allegiance¹

C14: from Old French ligeance, from lige _liege

Synonym Study

See loyalty.

Example Sentences

According to the synopsis, these “fierce, brilliant, and emotionally complicated” women will “navigate high-stakes breakups, scandalous secrets, and shifting allegiances.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The man who carried out the Manchester synagogue attack made a 999 call in which he pledged allegiance to the group calling itself Islamic State.

Read more on BBC

She has taken several unusual moves in her career, most notably switching international allegiance from England – where she was born and who she represented at youth level – to Nigeria, the nation of her paternal grandfather.

Read more on BBC

He pledges allegiance to India and says he never intends to return to Sri Lanka.

Read more on BBC

The rituals of punishing those with the wrong allegiance now found expression in the mass-produced revolver and later in the automatic rifle.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• adherence 
• dedication 
• deference 
• devotion 
• faithfulness 
• fealty 
• fidelity 
• homage 
• obedience 
• obligation 

When To Use

What does allegiance mean?

Allegiance is loyalty or faithfulness, especially to a person or cause.Allegiance usually refers to a loyalty that is considered extremely important, such as to a country or leader.If you went to school in the United States, you’re familiar with the Pledge of Allegiance, which is an oath of loyalty to the country recited by schoolchildren and at patriotic ceremonies. This type of formal loyalty is what’s implied by allegiance.The adjective form of allegiance is allegiant.Example: Her supporters’ allegiance never lessened, even in the aftermath of the scandal.