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

Assisting him is steadfast officer Salim, played by Mukesh Rishi, whose allegiances are doubted because of his Muslim faith. —Thomas Page, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024

Hall attributed Tate's inaction Friday on the issues to the House Speaker's allegiance to labor interests. —Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 14 Dec. 2024

Confused and annoyed, he’s taken to Colonel Watson Smith (Anthony Howell) to justify his allegiance. —Lincee Ray, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2024

The increasing prevalence of social media platforms in people’s lives and in this year’s re-election of Donald Trump as U.S. President helps explains the popularity of polarization as a word to look up, just as people’s opinions, beliefs and allegiances increasingly land on political extremes. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Dec. 2024

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

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