Synonyms

allegiance

American

[uh-lee-juhns] / əˈli dʒəns /

noun

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

Antonyms:

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

Antonyms:

treachery

allegiance British

/ əˈliːdʒəns /

noun

loyalty, as of a subject to his sovereign or of a citizen to his country
(in feudal society) the obligations of a vassal to his liege lord See also fealty homage

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

Related Words

See loyalty.

Other Word Forms

nonallegiance noun
overallegiance noun

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

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.

The new citizens took an oath of allegiance before receiving their certificates.

From Barron's

They had no apparent links to international terrorist networks — until Malik pledged allegiance to the leader of the extremist group Islamic State on Facebook shortly before the attack.

From Los Angeles Times

Iran’s political and religious establishments have rallied around the new ruler, with officials publicly pledging their allegiance.

From The Wall Street Journal

Supporters convened in Tehran's Enghelab Square on Monday to celebrate their new leader, while Iranian state TV broadcast large crowds gathering to pledge their allegiance on Sunday.

From BBC

The Revolutionary Guard and Iranian army pledged allegiance to the new leader.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023