: to supply money for (a business, project, person, etc.) • His parents bankrolled [=paid for] his college education. • The company is bankrolling [=financing] the film.
1 : a person or group that gives something (such as money, food, or clothes) in order to help a person or organization • The money was raised from individual donors. • She is one of the charity's/cause's major donors.
2 : a person who gives something (such as blood or a body organ) so that it can be given to someone who needs it • blood/organdonors • a kidney donor • a donor organ • adonor card[=a card that says that you want to donate your organs when you die]
1 [with object] : to formally promise to give or do (something) • Her family pledged $100,000 toward the construction of a new school. • He called to pledge money to the charity. • We’ve all pledged (our) loyalty/support/allegiance to the organization. • Every morning, wepledge allegiance to the flag. • teenagers who have pledged not to start smoking • During his campaign, he pledged that he would not raise taxes.
2 [with object] : to cause (someone) to formally promise something• She pledged herself to silence. [=she promised that she would not say anything] • The chefs are pledged to keep the restaurant’s special recipe a secret.
3 [with object] : to give (something) as a way to show that you will keep your promise to someone • He pledged his paintings as collateral/security for a loan.
4US: to promise to join (a college fraternity or sorority) [withobject] • She pledged the sorority as a freshman. [no object] • A few of his friends pledged to/with fraternities.
/ˈbæŋkˌroʊl/ verb [with object]
