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View synonyms for

allegiance

[ uh-lee-juhns ]

noun

  1. the loyalty of a citizen to their government or of a subject to their sovereign.

    Antonyms:

  2. loyalty or devotion to some person, group, cause, or the like.

    Antonyms:



allegiance

/ əˈːəԲ /

noun

  1. loyalty, as of a subject to his sovereign or of a citizen to his country
  2. (in feudal society) the obligations of a vassal to his liege lord See also fealty homage
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • ԴDza·gԳ noun
  • v··gԳ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of allegiance1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English aliegiaunce, equivalent to a- probably a- 5 + liege liege + -aunce -ance; compare Middle French ligeance
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Word History and Origins

Origin of allegiance1

C14: from Old French ligeance, from lige liege
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Synonym Study

See loyalty.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

As China’s economy and manufacturing might have mushroomed in recent decades, U.S. dominance depended to a greater degree on its historic allegiances.

From

Rowan Halstead says his party, the Yorkshire Party, are the only group "not shackled" by national allegiances so would put this money and people in the region first.

From

Brother Guela has other international allegiances, winning international caps for Ivory Coast.

From

For decades, the cola wars played out in Super Bowl commercials and fast food soda fountains, in taste tests and vending machine allegiances.

From

The term ‘Disney adult’ is often associated with an allegiance to a corporation or a refusal to grow up.

From

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More About Allegiance

doesallegiance mean?

Allegiance is loyalty or faithfulness, especially to a person or cause.

Allegiance usually refers to a loyalty that is considered extremely important, such as to a country or leader.

If you went to school in the United States, you’re familiar with the Pledge of Allegiance, which is an oath of loyalty to the country recited by schoolchildren and at patriotic ceremonies. This type of formal loyalty is what’s implied by allegiance.

The adjective form of allegiance is allegiant.

Example: Her supporters’ allegiance never lessened, even in the aftermath of the scandal.

Where doesallegiance come from?

The first records of the word allegiance come from the 1300s. It comes from the French root lige, meaning “liege,” a feudal lord entitled to allegiance and service. The word originally referred to such loyalty—that owed to a king or lord. Later, it came to mean a person’s duty to their government.

Now that all-powerful monarchs aren’t quite as popular as they were in the Middle Ages, allegiance is used in different contexts. Still, it usually applies to relationships considered important to someone’s identity. A person may show allegiance to their home country after moving away. A president’s advisers may show allegiance by remaining loyal no matter what. Ultra-devoted fans could even describe themselves as having allegiance, such as to a sports team or a pop star. In just about every instance, people who show allegiance are pledging their loyalty to someone more powerful or something bigger than themselves.

Did you know ... ?

are some other forms of allegiance?

are some synonyms for allegiance?

are some words that share a root or word element with allegiance?

are some words that often get used in discussing allegiance?

How isallegiance used in real life?

Having allegiance means you are all in on loyalty, so the word is usually used to refer to serious faithfulness to someone or something.

Try usingallegiance!

True or False?

Allegiance usually refers to loyalty that is casual or could change.

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Allegheny spurgeallegiant