Definition of ALLEGIANCE (original) (raw)
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
Synonyms
Choose the Right Synonym for allegiance
allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country.
fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow.
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.
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Between the lines: While there won't be a need for Donna Kelce to split her allegiance this time around, fans whose team didn't make the game may still be trying to decide which team is worth rooting for: the dynasty or the dynasty busters. —
Ross Terrell, Axios, 4 Feb. 2025 Over the past few months, the expectant mother has turned her allegiance to blue. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2025 That choice stems as much from allegiance to a devoted local audience that expects the best as from an understanding of wider industry dynamics. —Ben Croll, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025 The last time Travis' Chiefs played the Eagles in the Super Bowl, his brother Jason was still a player on the team, leaving Donna to split her allegiance with a suit jacket that was half Eagles, half Chiefs. —Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for allegiance 
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of allegiance was in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near allegiance
Cite this Entry
“Allegiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allegiance. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.
Share
More from Merriam-Webster on allegiance
Last Updated: 13 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!