vow

noun

\ ˈvau̇

Definition of vow

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

vow

verb (1)

vowed; vowing; vows

Definition of vow (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to promise solemnly : swear

2 : to bind or consecrate by a vow

intransitive verb

: to make a vow

vow

verb (2)

vowed; vowing; vows

Definition of vow (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

: avow, declare

Other Words from vow Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about vow

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Synonyms for vow

Synonyms: Noun

oath, pledge, promise, troth, word

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

While eastern rite Catholic priests can be married before ordination, Roman Catholic priests take a vow of celibacy. — Nicole Winfield, The Seattle Times, "Priest’s son demands Vatican attention for clergy’s children," 20 Feb. 2019 One method of meditative self-remove is a temporary vow of silence, which a number of high-profile stars have undertaken over the years. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "Lupita Nyong’o is the Latest Celebrity to Go on a Silent Retreat," 5 Feb. 2019 That option would do an injustice to gay priests who have honored their vows. — WSJ, "Deal With the Priests Who Molest the Young," 25 Jan. 2019 But flashes of anxiety were minimal; a five-day window meant more time had to be spent writing our vows than worrying about the particulars. — Phoebe Lapine, Marie Claire, "How to Marry a Guy in Five Days," 18 Jan. 2019 If anything, Trump’s vulgar narcissism made his vow to build a wall more believable. — Jane Coaston, Vox, "Fox News demanded a government shutdown — and got one," 22 Dec. 2018 Yes, Nick and Priyanka are rumored to be exchanging their vows inside a literal palace. — Christopher Rosa, Teen Vogue, "Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas Are Reportedly Getting Married at the Umaid Bhawan Palace," 12 Nov. 2018 Will this heartbreak inspire Brad Pitt to renew his vow of celibacy? — Madeleine Aggeler, The Cut, "Brad Pitt’s MIT-Professor Crush Is Dating a Billionaire Now," 14 June 2018 The video also included snippets from the Carters' private vow renewal, with one shot revealing a full-length view of Beyoncé's stunning bridal look. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Beyoncé Wore the Coolest Wedding Gown for Her Vow Renewal with Jay-Z," 2 Jan. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Dara Khosrowshahi, who replaced Kalanick as CEO, has vowed to reform Uber. — Chavie Lieber, Vox, "Uber and Lyft are racing each other to go public. Here’s why.," 12 Dec. 2018 Dodik has long been a vocal opponent of Bosnia’s membership in NATO and has repeatedly vowed to block all the efforts to reach that goal. — Lorne Cook, The Seattle Times, "NATO gives Bosnia green light to advance on membership path," 5 Dec. 2018 Garcia has vowed not to accept corporate PAC money and has returned a donations from a lobbyist, gearing him up for a tough race against the $9 million in air-time funding that Gov. Ducey has received from the RGA. — Isabella Gomez, Teen Vogue, "David Garcia Could Be the First Latinx Governor of Arizona in 44 Years," 29 Aug. 2018 Simultaneously, the Cambodian government has vowed harsher surveillance of online activity, and has already arrested or threatened several people for posting social media comments critical of the government. — Abby Seiff / Phnom Penh, Time, "Chinese State-Linked Hackers in Large Scale Operation to Monitor Cambodia's Upcoming Elections, Report Says," 11 July 2018 China vowed to match U.S. moves, using both quantitative and qualitative measures. — Danielle Paquette, Emily Rauhala, Anchorage Daily News, "Trade war set to escalate as Fed warns of economic hit," 6 July 2018 China vowed to match U.S. moves, using both quantitative and qualitative measures. — Danielle Paquette And Emily Rauhala, chicagotribune.com, "Trade war with China is finally here — and it won't be pretty," 5 July 2018 López Obrador has vowed to cut his own salary in half, sell off presidential planes, and even turn the presidential palace into a public park. — Luke Darby, GQ, "Mexico's New President Is a Leftist Who Despises Trump and Vowed to Slash His Own Salary in Half," 2 July 2018 Wolf, a Democrat, has vowed to deny any such legislation. — Anna Orso, Philly.com, "What would it really take for abortion to be illegal in Pa., N.J.?," 29 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Regina King vowing to include 50 percent women in all her future projects. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "The Biggest Moments From the 2019 Golden Globes," 6 Jan. 2019 Shoppers vowed to boycott Burberry over its wastefulness, while members of Parliament demanded the British government crack down on such practices. — Chavie Lieber, Vox, "A breakdown of this year’s brand winners and losers.," 27 Dec. 2018 Further Reading As the SpaceX steamroller surges, European rocket industry vows to resist So far, Arianespace has launched 10 rockets this year: six Ariane 5 boosters, two Vega rockets, and two Soyuz medium-lift rockets. — Eric Berger, Ars Technica, "Tuesday may deliver a triple-header of big launches to cap 2018," 17 Dec. 2018 One woman, Baru Cormorant, vows to rise through the ranks of the imperial system to overthrow the empire from within. — Andrew Liptak, The Verge, "11 new sci-fi and fantasy books to check out this November," 1 Nov. 2018 Now, Gobbetti vows that the brand will work towards becoming more eco-conscious, addressing that consumers want to shop products that are better for the environment. — Lauren Alexis Fisher, Harper's BAZAAR, "Burberry Vows to Stop Burning Unsold Merchandise and Using Real Fur," 6 Sep. 2018 When the study came out, Berrios vowed to fix the problem, working with the Consulting Alliance and Tyler Technologies, the firm the county has hired to update its property taxation computer systems. — Hal Dardick, chicagotribune.com, "Berrios' analysts used Zillow, other shortcuts in assessing property values, documents show," 13 July 2018 In June, Celgene CEO Mark Alles vowed to limit price increases to once a year, capping them at the projected annual percentage growth in U.S. medical spending, which this year was forecast to be 5.3 percent. — Robert Langreth And Cynthia Koons, BostonGlobe.com, "Many drugmakers ignore Trump — and raise prices anyway," 13 July 2018 At a June briefing with Reclamation Commissioner Burman, CAP General Manager Ted Cooke and ADWR Director Tom Buschatzke vowed to finish a drought contingency plan by the end of the year. — Joshua Bowling, azcentral, "As the Arizona drought persists, Phoenix's water use continues to drop," 12 July 2018

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

History and Etymology for vow

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

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