vow

noun

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\ 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

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Synonyms for vow

Synonyms: Noun

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 If she is confirmed, Tai would be the first woman of color and Asian American to hold the role, which would be in line with Biden's vow to create a diverse administration. — Mica Soellner, Washington Examiner, "Biden to choose trade lawyer Katherine Tai for US trade representative," 10 Dec. 2020 That’s especially unfortunate since traditionally, the most common vow is to exercise more, a resolution that could improve health, reduce risk of chronic disease and save money. — Jo Craven Mcginty, WSJ, "The Benefits of Sticking to New Year’s Resolution to Work Out More," 1 Jan. 2021 Biden’s vow to produce enough vaccine for all U.S. adults by the end of May is two months faster than his previous goal of the end of July. — Author: Laurie Mcginley, Christopher Rowland, Anchorage Daily News, "Merck will help make Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine, boosting supply," 3 Mar. 2021 McCollum and others in the know vow Luke Matthews (6-4, 320), son of NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews of the Houston Oilers, should be next in line at center as a junior. — Brent Zwerneman, San Antonio Express-News, "A&M blessed with plenty of candidates to replace solid O-line," 9 Feb. 2021 There’s a fake relationship, a surprise pregnancy, a dramatic deathbed vow, an affair with an opera singer, an actual duel, and a sassy narrator voiced by Dame Julie Andrews. — Lia Beck, refinery29.com, "R29 Recaps: Every Episode From Bridgerton Season 1," 28 Dec. 2020 In this context, the British critic’s vow to accentuate the positive is not a sign of taking responsibility but of shirking it, a refusal to address the real problems in the restaurant industry. — Theodore Gioia, The New Republic, "Death to the Negative Restaurant Review," 16 Dec. 2020 In 2018, Walz won the strongest gubernatorial majority in 24 years with a vow to be the One Minnesota governor. — Star Tribune, "The sorry state of 'One Minnesota' needs attention from Walz," 12 Dec. 2020 The vow was part of an agreement that unblocked EU sanctions against Belarus by winning over Cyprus, which had pressed the bloc to take a tougher stance against Ankara. — Jonathan Stearns, Bloomberg.com, "EU Top Diplomat Drives Homes Threat of More Sanctions on Turkey," 24 Nov. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb While Ginny isn't pleased that this birthday party includes a sleepover component, the girls vow to figure out a way to sneak out. — Jean Bentley, refinery29.com, "R29 Recaps: Every Episode From Ginny & Georgia Season 1," 3 Mar. 2021 Yet owners managed to spin incremental gains in the past two negotiations into leverage in contract negotiations, inspiring players to vow for significant changes in the next round of bargaining. — Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, "With labor war looming, MLB players emboldened by Kevin Mather's admission: 'Brings light to the situation'," 24 Feb. 2021 Well, China did vow to increase its share of energy from non-fossil fuels to 20% by 2025, up from 15.9% in 2020, according to Myllyvirta. — Josh Siegel, Washington Examiner, "Daily on Energy: A hint that China doesn’t have plans to fulfill climate promises," 5 Mar. 2021 While Ginny isn't pleased that this birthday party includes a sleepover component, the girls vow to figure out a way to sneak out. — Jean Bentley, refinery29.com, "R29 Recaps: Every Episode From Ginny & Georgia Season 1," 2 Mar. 2021 Three leaders of the HFPA — Tatna, vice president Helen Hoehne and current president Ali Sar — took the stage to vow to add Black members. — Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times, "Golden Globes fallout: HFPA member says lack of Black members ‘was not really anything we focused on’," 2 Mar. 2021 The 6th Commandment admonishes Catholics not to commit adultery and priests vow to maintain celibacy. — Ryan Foley, chicagotribune.com, "Church lets Iowa priest-professor return to work despite finding of sexual misconduct," 24 Nov. 2020 President-elect Joe Biden did vow to implement tough new drug-pricing measures during the campaign. — Charley Grant, WSJ, "Big Pharma Heads Toward a Deals Spree," 30 Dec. 2020 Hurricanes players vow to remain connected in pursuit of what would be just the program’s second bowl victory since 2006. — David Furones, sun-sentinel.com, "After demoralizing defeat, Hurricanes shift to recruiting ahead of Early Signing Period — and eventually bowl prep," 13 Dec. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Well, China did vow to increase its share of energy from non-fossil fuels to 20% by 2025, up from 15.9% in 2020, according to Myllyvirta. — Josh Siegel, Washington Examiner, "Daily on Energy: A hint that China doesn’t have plans to fulfill climate promises," 5 Mar. 2021 While Ginny isn't pleased that this birthday party includes a sleepover component, the girls vow to figure out a way to sneak out. — Jean Bentley, refinery29.com, "R29 Recaps: Every Episode From Ginny & Georgia Season 1," 3 Mar. 2021 President-elect Joe Biden did vow to implement tough new drug-pricing measures during the campaign. — Charley Grant, WSJ, "Big Pharma Heads Toward a Deals Spree," 30 Dec. 2020 Hurricanes players vow to remain connected in pursuit of what would be just the program’s second bowl victory since 2006. — David Furones, sun-sentinel.com, "After demoralizing defeat, Hurricanes shift to recruiting ahead of Early Signing Period — and eventually bowl prep," 13 Dec. 2020 Some restaurant operators vow to reopen their dining rooms to 50% capacity later this month, regardless of whether Beshear chooses to extend his current order closing restaurants and bars to indoor dining until Dec. 13. — Bruce Schreiner And Piper Hudspeth Blackburn, Star Tribune, "Hardships mount in Kentucky as COVID-19 relief talks drag on," 3 Dec. 2020 The 6th Commandment admonishes Catholics not to commit adultery and priests vow to maintain celibacy. — Ryan Foley, chicagotribune.com, "Church lets Iowa priest-professor return to work despite finding of sexual misconduct," 24 Nov. 2020 While the Trump campaign continues to vow legal challenges to the election, President-elect Joe Biden is moving forward and laid out the policy agenda for his administration Sunday. — NBC News, "President-elect Biden sets agenda for Day 1, while Trump remains defiant despite defeat," 9 Nov. 2020 District and school officials vow to implement targeted interventions to help students get back on track. — The Salt Lake Tribune, "Thousands of Utah students are struggling with online learning during the pandemic," 8 Nov. 2020

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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