allegiance

noun

al·​le·​giance ə-ˈlē-jən(t)s 

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

ə-ˈlē-jənt 

adjective

Synonyms

• adhesion
• attachment
• commitment
• constancy
• dedication
• devotedness
• devotion
• faith
• faithfulness
• fastness
• fealty
• fidelity
• loyalty
• piety
• steadfastness
• troth

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

Blood Simple is a twisty noir that will keep you guessing on where each of the members of this devilish triangle’s allegiances lie until the very bloody end. —Shannon Carlin, TIME, 29 Apr. 2024

Pope and his staff reportedly flew to Las Vegas on Friday morning, met with the family and the 6-foot-2 point guard had pledged his allegiance by early afternoon. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2024

Another commit The Canes got their seventh commitment for the Class of 2025 after the spring game, when four-star Leo, Indiana tight end Brock Schott pledged his allegiance to Miami. —Susan Miller Degnan, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2024

An unnamed soldier of uncertain allegiance played by Plemons seems in charge. —Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024

There’s Always This Year charts where that sense of allegiance leads the basketball community, Cleveland, and Abdurraqib himself. —Hazlitt, 10 Apr. 2024

People will swear allegiance to one shade of egg over another based solely on anecdotal evidence. —USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024

In a February 2024 trailer for the thriller, Xuande’s Captain faces scrutiny from both his Vietnamese and American allegiances. —Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 29 Mar. 2024

His love of Taco Bell — and of one Johnson County location in particular — is as well known as his allegiance to KU. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

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