Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun The state or quality of being loyal. synonym: fidelity.
  • noun A feeling or attitude of devoted attachment and affection.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The state or quality of being loyal; devotion to a sovereign or a superior; fidelity in duty, service, love, etc.; firm allegiance; constancy.
  • noun Synonyms Allegiance, Loyalty, Fealty. See allegiance.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun The state or quality of being loyal; fidelity to a superior, or to duty, love, etc.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun The state of being loyal; fidelity.
  • noun Faithfulness or devotion to some person, cause or nation.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun the act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action
  • noun feelings of allegiance
  • noun the quality of being loyal

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Old French loiauté (Modern loyauté) from loial + -té

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Examples

  • He supported Hazel Blears for the position of deputy leader of the Labour party but his main loyalty is to himself and his career, albeit that career stalled when he resigned his position as PPS to the afore mentioned Hazel Blears over the decision to replace Trident; maybe he is trying to resurrect it and the BBC are trying to help him do that, but why?

    Archive 2008-01-01 Not a sheep 2008

  • For those not familiar with the term loyalty - in this case it refers to putting the American Citizen first.

    Immigration Enforcement Funds Slashed in Arizona - The Lede Blog - NYTimes.com 2008

  • I replied, ‘Your loyalty is appreciated even if misguided.’

    Shaped By Stories « Tales from the Reading Room 2010

  • Your loyalty is admirable, however I new nothing about crossfit prior to Tyler's blog site and the numerous video bits he has shown in the past (search crossfit and you should get about 10 hits if you include this blog).

    Hi. I'm Megan Fox. Tyler 2009

  • I'm sure your loyalty is appreciated by the Clintons, and if so, you'll abide by her wishes in supporting the Democratic candidate that wins the nomination.

    Bill Clinton says race card allegation 'revolting strategy' 2008

  • I am too close a friend to pursue the matter with Novak, and his loyalty is a postulate.

    11/02/2005 2005

  • That sounds a little odd, I know, but their forms of what we call 'loyalty' do not always involve compliance.

    My Enemy My Ally Diane Duane 2000

  • That sounds a little odd, I know, but their forms of what we call 'loyalty' do not always involve compliance.

    My Enemy My Ally Diane Duane 2000

  • That sounds a little odd, I know, but their forms of what we call 'loyalty' do not always involve compliance.

    My Enemy My Ally Diane Duane 2000

  • The courtesy of Major Dugas, and the civil bearing of the men, told upon the people, but nevertheless they did not abate one jot of what they called their loyalty to Donald.

    The Hunted Outlaw or, Donald Morrison, the Canadian Rob Roy Anonymous

Comments

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  • “Are you loyal?” he shouted.

    “To what, friend? I intend you no harm, if that’s what you mean.”

    “To the ship!”

    It seemed pointless to promise loyalty to what was no more than an artifact of the Hierodules, however large; but this was clearly no time to debate abstractions.

    —Gene Wolfe, The Urth of the New Sun

    June 10, 2011