promisepromisepromisespromisedpromising1verb (promises, promising, promised)to say that you will certainly do or not do something: She promised to give me the money today. I promise that I'll come. Promise me you won't be late!promisepromisepromises2nounwhen you say that you will certainly do or not do something: He kept his promise (= did what he said). You broke your promise – how can I trust you?