noun
Usage
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.
Synonym Usage
See loyalty.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of allegiance
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English aliegiaunce, equivalent to a- probably a- 5 + liege liege + -aunce -ance; compare Middle French ligeance
Explanation
Every second grader knows how to pledge allegiance to the flag, but do you think they realize when they place their right hand over their hearts that they're expressing loyalty to what we call the "Red, White, and Blue"? You can pledge your allegiance to a flag or swear your allegiance to a government or cause. Either way you're expressing your commitment and devotion in the firmest sense of the word. The liege in allegiance comes from the Old French word meaning "lord and master," which is who you would have been swearing your allegiance to if you'd been a servant in France centuries ago.
Vocabulary lists containing allegiance
100 SAT Words Beginning with "A"
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"The Crucible" -- Vocabulary from all 4 Acts
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Donald Trump Inauguration Address- January 20, 2017
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“There is ‘an expectation that even the Attorney General must be able to draw the line between political allegiance and fidelity to the people, as well as the fair administration of law,’ ” Williams wrote.
From Slate ● Jul. 14, 2026
However, after moving to play for Bayern Munich in 2020, he opted to pledge his allegiance to the country of his birth in 2021.
From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026
That rests on Blackstone’s explicit distinction between “local” and “natural” allegiance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026
But in 2024, he put in a request to switch allegiance to his parents’ homeland.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026
By then, Morrison had recanted his confession, shifting his allegiance yet again in the hope of securing compensation from Hale.
From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann
Having represented Italy at youth level, he switched allegiances to Australia in May just before the Socceroos announced their squad for the tournament.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
Gutiérrez and Vargas started their international careers representing Team USA at youth level, but FIFA’s one-time switch rule allowed them to change allegiances.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026
Scotland have tried to convince Barnes to switch his international allegiances and play for Steve Clarke's team at this summer's World Cup, with the 28-year-old eligible through his grandparents.
From BBC ● Mar. 22, 2026
"Talking to customers in the back of the cab, you can see allegiances switching," said Steve, 63, a taxi driver.
From Barron's ● Feb. 24, 2026
A rumor that he was going to “denounce one of the horses” during a Fireside Chat made the rounds, but he kept his allegiances secret.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
