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

Coach Foster told him not to do interviews, so as not to declare an allegiance to England or Australia.

Read more on BBC

When allegiance to power trumps commitment to principles, tech leaders shouldn’t be surprised when both users and history hold them accountable.

Read more on Salon

She has no intentions to switch allegiances, but Parkinson fully embraces her multicultural upbringing and even speaks four languages.

Read more on BBC

Her solitary international appearance came as a substitute in a 6-0 victory over Chinese Taipei, but she is eligible to switch allegiances to Wales because that was not a competitive game.

Read more on BBC

He was executed the following year, and the war ground on for another decade until Agustín de Iturbide, a royalist colonel, switched allegiances and led the rebel factions to independence.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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.