pledge

noun | \ ˈplej \

1. : a delivery of especially personal property as security for a debt or other obligation; broadly : the perfection of a security interest in collateral through possession of the collateral by a creditor or other promisee : the perfection of a security interest in collateral through possession of the collateral by a creditor or other promisee

2. a : property and especially personal property that is used as security especially upon delivery; broadly : a security interest in collateral — compare chattel mortgage at mortgage : a security interest in collateral — compare chattel mortgage at mortgage

   b : something given as security for the performance of an act

3. a : the state of being held as security or guaranty property held in pledge

   b : something given as security for the performance of an act

4. : a binding promise to do or forbear

transitive verb

1. : to deliver or otherwise put forward as security for a debt or other obligation pledged his car as collateral for the loan

2. : to bind by a pledge we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor —Declaration of Independence

3. : to assure or promise the performance or payment of