vow

1 of 3

noun

: a solemn promise or assertion
specifically : one by which a person is bound to an act, service, or condition

vow

2 of 3

verb (1)

vowed; vowing; vows

transitive verb

1
: to promise solemnly : swear
2
: to bind or consecrate by a vow

intransitive verb

: to make a vow
vower noun

vow

3 of 3

verb (2)

vowed; vowing; vows

Examples of vow in a Sentence

Noun The monks take a vow of silence. The bride and groom exchanged vows. The mayor made a vow to reduce crime.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Virginia's first 420 Wedding The festival will also host Virginia's first 420 wedding at Misty Mountain Camp Resort, where Dawn and Seth, winners of our 420 Wedding Contest, will exchange vows in a symbolic ceremony at 4:20 PM on April 20th. Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2024 Ceremony and reception: AI could produce the wedding vows, create a virtual reality reception with fashionable decorations and attire, officiate the ceremony and DJ the music. Brent Dykes, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 The couple wrote their own vows and kept them secret ahead of the ceremony. Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2024 Beyond that, Trump’s policy positions, such as his vows to create massive internment camps and deport millions of unauthorized immigrants, including many who have lived in the U.S. for decades, aren’t going to sound like stability to many voters. David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2024 In terms of letting go of traditions, Edwin said their vows showed just as much. Parija Kavilanz, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024 Their vow, taken in the Californian farm during the summer of 2018, marked the beginning of a dedicated effort to educate and serve their community, offering classes on creating salves and pure vegetable oil. Javier Hasse, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Only spouses took that vow about sickness and health, until parted by death. Paula Span, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Feb. 2024 The healing pilgrimage may have involved the patient making an initial offering in supplication, which might have included a vow to make another offering if a cure was obtained. Elizabeth Heath, Discover Magazine, 17 Feb. 2024
Verb
The coach vowed to find other players who could get the job done if his current ones continued to falter. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024 Myers vowed to fight the charges, saying he was falsely accused. Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2024 Related article Chinese celebrity chef vows to never cook egg fried rice again after nationalist backlash Mo’s good standing with the Chinese government has stirred controversy after his Nobel win. Nectar Gan, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 Weathered Waves vowed its support for Palestine in the country’s armed conflict with Israel, but the ADL said being a Zionist does not prevent support for Palestine. Mike Stunson, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2024 Showing up in Houston with 388 pounds on his 6-foot 6-inch frame, Dorsey vowed to make getting in shape a priority and lost 35 pounds, according to the Houston Chronicle. Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 Like many institutions, the Guggenheim’s leaders vowed to prioritize inclusivity. Tariro Mzezewa, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 Netanyahu has vowed to keep fighting until Hamas and its leaders are crushed. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 Despite facing calls to drop out of the race, Haley vowed to stay in the race through at least Super Tuesday. Kendrick Marshall, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2024
Verb
While Feinstein on Wednesday vowed to return to the Capitol before retiring at the end of her term in early 2025, Black leaders in California wonder if the governor’s sincerity remains. Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2023 Archways are dotted throughout the main living room, which is overlooked by a Juliet balcony on the first floor, while the recessed shelves are full of photographs, vintage finds and books, including the books the couple read their wedding vows from. Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 14 Apr. 2023 These Sikhs vow to live by the principles of Sikhism, including remembrance of God, truthful living, service to humanity and standing up against tyranny and injustice, Gill said. Grace Hauck, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2023 Republicans have decried the charges as being politically motivated, vowing to investigate Bragg and his office. Cami Mondeaux, Washington Examiner, 13 Apr. 2023 The documents contain purportedly private conversations between senior South Korean officials about Ukraine, indicating that Washington may have conducted surveillance on a key Asian ally even as the two nations publicly vowed to reinforce their alliance. Hyung-Jin Kim and Kim Tong-Hyung, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Apr. 2023 The search for a missing 6-year-old Texas boy who hasn't been seen since October is now a death investigation, police said Thursday, while vowing to find his body. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 6 Apr. 2023 That message was echoed on pro-Trump extremist forums, where users lamented the charges against Trump and vowed revenge. Isaac Stanley-Becker and Jacqueline Alemany, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Apr. 2023 Policymakers share this view and vow to act, even when so often those promises don’t come to fruition. Ron Avi Astor, CNN, 3 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English vowe, from Anglo-French vou, from Latin votum, from neuter of votus, past participle of vovēre to vow; akin to Greek euchesthai to pray, vow, Sanskrit vāghat sacrificer

Verb (2)

Middle English, short for avowen

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vow was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near vow

Cite this Entry

“Vow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vow. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

vow

1 of 2 noun
: a solemn promise or statement

vow

2 of 2 verb
1
: to make a vow or as a vow
2
: to bind or make holy by a vow

Legal Definition

vow

1 of 2 noun
: a solemn promise or statement
especially : one by which a person is bound to an act, service, or condition

vow

2 of 2 transitive verb
1
: to promise solemnly
2
: to bind or commit by a vow

intransitive verb

: to make a vow
vower noun

More from Merriam-Webster on vow

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