a declaration or assurance that one will do something or that a particular thing will happen

what happened to all those firm promises of support?

I did not keep my promise to go home early

the quality of potential excellence

he showed great promise even as a junior officer

assure someone that one will definitely do something or that something will happen

he promised to forward my mail

she made him promise that he wouldn't do it again

‘I'll bring it straight back,’ she promised

he promised her the job

give good grounds for expecting (a particular occurrence)

forthcoming concerts promise a feast of music

it promised to be a night that all would remember