allegiance

noun

al·​le·​giance ə-ˈlē-jən(t)s 

plural allegiances

1

a

: the obligation of a feudal vassal to a liege lord

b

: the fidelity owed by a subject, citizen, or noncitizen resident to a sovereign or government

We pledge allegiance to our country.

2

: devotion or loyalty to a person, group, or cause

allegiance to a political party

allegiant

ə-ˈlē-jənt 

adjective

Synonyms of allegiance

• loyalty
• commitment
• dedication
• devotion
• fidelity

Choose the Right Synonym for allegiance

fidelity, allegiance, fealty, loyalty, devotion, piety mean faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty.

fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty.

marital fidelity

allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country.

pledging allegiance

fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow.

fealty to the truth

loyalty implies a faithfulness that is steadfast in the face of any temptation to renounce, desert, or betray.

valued the loyalty of his friends

devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication.

a painter's devotion to her art

piety stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental.

filial piety

Examples of allegiance in a Sentence

He owes allegiance to them for all the help they have given him.

Both candidates are working hard to convince voters to switch allegiances.

Recent Examples on the Web

It was formed in 2017 as a coalition of jihadist factions and immediately declared its allegiance to al Qaeda. —Tim Lister, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025

Chris Jones is pledging allegiance to his teammate’s famous fiancée, and Taylor Swift is loving it. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2025

As Colley noted, Harry is technically in line for the throne of Canada, but nonetheless ditched his Commonwealth allegiances for the Dodgers. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025

Winter Wonderland Emporium Selection Cheese Advent Calendar Each year, around October, my mom pledges her allegiance to finding ALDI’s cheese advent calendar. —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English aligeaunce, borrowed from Anglo-French alleggeance, alter. (by addition of the verbal prefix a-, going back to Latin ad- ad-) of ligeance, from lige, liege liege entry 1 + -ance -ance

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

allegiance

noun

al·​le·​giance ə-ˈlē-jən(t)s 

1

: loyalty and obedience owed to one's country or government

2

: devotion or loyalty to a person, group, or cause