allegiance

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noun al·le·giance \ ə-ˈlē-jən(t)s \

Definition of allegiance

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

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allegiant

play \-jənt\ adjective

See allegiance defined for English-language learners

See allegiance defined for kids

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 of allegiance from the Web

But Kitty Stryker, a member of an allegiance of Juggalos and counter protesters known as Struggalo Circus, said the anti-fascists did not incite violence as police and far-right groups have claimed.

— Alaska Dispatch News, "Violence breaks out at Berkeley protest," 28 Aug. 2017
So’s version—whipped until its texture is fluffy and served on toasted brioche with blueberry jam to cut the richness and pickled mustard seed for acidity and crunch—made my father seriously question that allegiance.

— andrew knowlton, Bon Appetit, "Kemuri Tatsu-Ya Is the #8 Best New Restaurant in America 2017," 15 Aug. 2017
Caitlyn Jenner is apologizing to members of the transgender community for sending a wrong message about where her allegiances lie.

— yvonne juris, PEOPLE.com, "Caitlyn Jenner Apologizes to Trans Community for Wearing MAGA Hat After Trump’s Military Ban: ‘I Made a Mistake’," 5 Aug. 2017
Leave a Note The latest venture from restaurateurs Steve Tzolis and Nicola Kotsoni, whose joint resume includes Manhattan's Il Cantinori and Amali, tests the allegiances of their clientele.

— Condé Nast Traveler, "Calissa," 4 Aug. 2017
There are, of course, plenty of ways to appreciate cinema—and Nolan understands that Amazon’s embrace of multiple formats, rather than Netflix’s allegiance to one, is a more effective way to keep the industry thriving for future generations.

— david sims, The Atlantic, "What Christopher Nolan Gets Right About Netflix," 26 July 2017
Tempura fried vegetables, paired with an assertive curried yogurt sweetened with a touch of honey, owe no allegiance to any one country's cuisine.

— todd a. price, NOLA.com, "Cafe Henri retools: How to run a restaurant when your neighbors are AirBnbs," 23 July 2017
Mateen pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) during a three-hour standoff.

— CBS News, "Orlando nightclub shooting: Judge won't dismiss charge against gunman’s wife," 18 July 2017
And now, Streep has officially pledged her allegiance to the Obamas by debuting a snazzy custom accessory emblazoned with their visages.

— julie miller, Vanities, "Here’s How Much Meryl Streep Loves the Obamas," 11 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'allegiance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of allegiance

Middle English aligeaunce, from Anglo-French allegeance, alteration of ligeance, from lige liege

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First Known Use: 15th century

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allegiance Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

ALLEGIANCE Defined for English Language Learners

allegiance

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noun

Definition of allegiance for English Language Learners

: loyalty to a person, country, group, etc.

ALLEGIANCE Defined for Kids

allegiance

play

noun al·le·giance \ ə-ˈlē-jəns \

Definition of allegiance for Students

:loyalty and service to a group, country, or idea

I pledge allegiance to my country.

Learn More about allegiance

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allegiance

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allegiant

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Examples of allegiance in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of allegiance

allegiance Synonyms

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ALLEGIANCE Defined for English Language Learners

allegiance

Definition of allegiance for English Language Learners

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allegiance

Definition of allegiance for Students

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