Allegiance is loyalty and support pledged to a person, group, or cause. When you declare allegiance to something, you're promising to stay faithful and committed to it.

Americans show allegiance to their country when they recite the Pledge of Allegiance, promising loyalty to the United States and its values. A knight in medieval times swore allegiance to their king, vowing to serve and protect the kingdom. When friends show allegiance to each other, they stick together through difficult times and defend one another.

The word carries weight because it suggests deep, lasting commitment. You might like chocolate ice cream, but you wouldn't say you have allegiance to it. Allegiance means commitment that lasts even when things get tough. A team captain maintains allegiance to her teammates by supporting them after losses, not just celebrating wins. A citizen's allegiance to their country means caring about its well-being and following its laws.

People can hold multiple allegiances: to family, friends, school, community, and country. Sometimes these different loyalties work together smoothly, but occasionally they can conflict, forcing difficult choices about which commitment matters most in that moment.