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.
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.
We show that universal human dignity still commands our allegiance, that freedom is still worth defending at cost and risk.
From Los Angeles Times
He was born in South Africa, grew up in New Zealand, switched allegiance when he was 16 and then went into the American college system.
From BBC
Old allegiance, old history, shared blood, old tribes, old paper—Magna Carta, Émile Zola.
When guests encountered characters, for instance, they would speak to them as if they were visitors on the fictional planet, often trying to suss out someone’s allegiance.
From Los Angeles Times
Where the electorate remains closely divided, with independents prone to shifting allegiances, the rules of politics may impose a more demanding standard than the rule of law.
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.
