allegiance

noun

al·​le·​giance ə-ˈlē-jən(t)s How to pronounce allegiance (audio)
1
a
: the obligation of a feudal vassal to his liege lord
b(1)
: the fidelity owed by a subject or citizen to a sovereign or government
I pledge allegiance to my country.
(2)
: the obligation of an alien to the government under which the alien resides
2
: devotion or loyalty to a person, group, or cause
allegiance to a political party
allegiant adjective
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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
When the Dodgers abandoned New York for sunnier pastures, his father stayed loyal, unlike others who shifted allegiances. Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024 Lawrence this week telegraphed her political allegiance in cloth, using a Realtree camouflage cap embroidered with the surnames of Harris and Tim Walz in neon orange stitching. Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2024 In West Bloomfield, Michigan, Rachel Weinberg, a 72-year-old retired preschool teacher, expressed her support for Donald Trump, prioritizing her allegiance to Israel above all. Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024 Four years later, 49 people were slain and 53 wounded at a Florida nightclub by a man shooting an assault rifle who had pledged allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State group. Corey G. Johnson, ProPublica, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for allegiance 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of allegiance was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near allegiance

Cite this Entry

“Allegiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allegiance. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

allegiance

noun
al·​le·​giance ə-ˈlē-jən(t)s How to pronounce allegiance (audio)
1
: loyalty and obedience owed to one's country or government
2
: devotion or loyalty to a person, group, or cause

More from Merriam-Webster on allegiance

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