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Definition of "vow" []

  • An earnest promise to perform a specified act or behave in a certain manner, especially a solemn promise to live and act in accordance with the rules of a religious order: take the vows of a nun. (noun)
  • A declaration or assertion. (noun)
  • To promise solemnly; pledge. See Synonyms at promise. (verb-transitive)
  • To make a pledge or threat to undertake: vowing revenge on their persecutors. (verb-transitive)
  • To make a vow; promise. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "vow" in a sentence
  • "Luther alludes here of course to the vow of celibacy, which was curiously styled the ‘vow of chastity’; thus indirectly condemning marriage in general."
  • "But such a vow is a foolish denial of the human journey and the spiritual work we're all required to do."
  • ""Yes," she replied, "but my understanding of my vow is an inner detachment — that I can use things or not, but that I'm not attached to them.""