Pledge of Allegiance

American  

noun

1. a solemn oath of allegiance or fidelity to the U.S., beginning, “I pledge allegiance to the flag,” and forming part of many flag-saluting ceremonies in the U.S.

---

Pledge of Allegiance Cultural  

1. Also called the “Pledge to the Flag.” The American patriotic vow, which is often recited at formal government ceremonies, including Independence Day ceremonies for new citizens: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

---

Discover More

The phrase under God, added in 1954 (more than sixty years after the pledge was originally published), has inspired heated debate over the separation of church and state.

Example Sentences

I led everyone gathered in the auditorium in a rousing recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

Constitution, Bill of Rights, Pledge of Allegiance, and Declaration of Independence inserted, “bound in leather or leather-like material for durability.”

From Salon • Oct. 5, 2024

Eddie Torres, former president of the East Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, opened the East Los Tacos forum by leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2024

Unlike with the Pledge of Allegiance, declining to take an oath of office often carries the higher price of being unable to hold an elected position.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 24, 2024

He could remember all the words to the Pledge of Allegiance.

From "I Survived the Great Alaska Earthquake, 1964" by Lauren Tarshis