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Allegiance Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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allegiance

[əˈliːdʒəns ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

pledge

Loyalty or commitment to a superior or to a group or cause.

Synonyms

commitment, faithfulness, loyalty.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
allegiance

Use when referring to formal or solemn loyalty or duty owed to a country, ruler, or cause. It often carries a connotation of a legal or solemn obligation.

  • He swore his allegiance to the new king.
  • The soldiers pledged their allegiance to the country.
loyalty

Use when referring to a strong feeling of support or allegiance, typically in relationships, both personal and professional. It is a more general term for dedication and steadfastness.

  • Her loyalty to her friends is unwavering.
  • Brand loyalty is crucial for businesses.
faithfulness

Use when emphasizing the quality of being true and constant in support or allegiance to someone or something. This word is often used in personal relationships or in contexts involving trust.

  • Their faithfulness to each other lasted a lifetime.
  • The dog's faithfulness to its owner was touching.
commitment

Use when referring to a promise or firm decision to do something, or the state of being dedicated to a cause or activity. It often implies a sense of obligation and responsibility.

  • Her commitment to her job is admirable.
  • He made a commitment to support the charity every year.

Examples of usage

  • He swore allegiance to the king.
  • She pledged her allegiance to the company.
  • The soldiers showed their allegiance by standing strong in battle.
Context #2 | Noun

government

The duty of loyalty and obedience that citizens owe to their country or government.

Synonyms

loyalty, obedience, patriotism.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
allegiance

This word is often used in formal or legal settings to describe a commitment or duty to a country, organization, or leader.

  • He swore allegiance to the king.
  • The soldiers pledged their allegiance to the nation.
loyalty

Used to describe a strong feeling of support or allegiance, typically in personal relationships or to companies and brands.

  • Her loyalty to her friends is admirable.
  • He showed loyalty to his favorite brand by always buying their products.
obedience

This word describes following orders or rules, often used in contexts where authority and discipline are emphasized.

  • The dog's obedience to its owner was impressive.
  • The soldiers are expected to show obedience to their commanding officer.
patriotism

Used to describe the love and devotion to one's own country. It often has a positive connotation of pride and support for the nation.

  • Her patriotism was evident when she joined the army.
  • The national anthem stirred deep feelings of patriotism among the crowd.

Examples of usage

  • Citizens are expected to show allegiance to their country.
  • The Pledge of Allegiance is recited in schools across the nation.
  • Allegiance is an important concept in citizenship.
Context #3 | Noun

feudalism

The relationship between a feudal lord and his vassal entailing the vassal's loyalty and service.

Synonyms

fealty, loyalty, obligation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
allegiance

Used in formal or legal contexts to express a person's commitment or loyalty to a country, leader, cause, or organization.

  • He swore his allegiance to the new government.
  • Citizens are required to pledge allegiance to the flag.
loyalty

Commonly used in everyday situations to describe a strong feeling of support or allegiance to a person, group, or cause. It is less formal than 'allegiance' and 'fealty.'

  • Her loyalty to her friends is admirable.
  • The employees showed great loyalty to the company during tough times.
fealty

Typically used in historical contexts or literature to describe a vassal's sworn loyalty to a lord or monarch, emphasizing a formal and sworn commitment.

  • The knight pledged his fealty to the king.
  • In the medieval era, tenants owed fealty to their lords.
obligation

Used to describe a duty or commitment, often implying a sense of being bound to perform certain actions out of a moral or legal necessity rather than personal choice. Can sometimes carry a negative connotation.

  • He felt an obligation to help his family.
  • Students have an obligation to complete their assignments on time.

Examples of usage

  • The vassal swore allegiance to his lord.
  • Feudal allegiance was a key aspect of the medieval system.
  • The feudal contract outlined the obligations of allegiance.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'allegiance'

The word 'allegiance' originated from the Middle English 'alegiaunce' which came from the Old French 'allegeance' and ultimately from the Latin 'alligantia', meaning 'a bond'. The concept of allegiance has been a crucial aspect of human societies throughout history, shaping relationships between individuals, groups, and nations.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #7,623 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.