honor

1 of 2

noun

hon·​or ˈä-nər How to pronounce honor (audio)
1
a
: good name or public esteem : reputation
b
: a showing of usually merited respect : recognition
pay honor to our founder
2
: privilege
had the honor of joining the captain for dinner
3
: a person of superior standing
now used especially as a title for a holder of high office
if Your Honor please
4
: one whose worth brings respect or fame : credit
an honor to the profession
5
: the center point of the upper half of an armorial escutcheon
6
: an evidence or symbol of distinction: such as
a
: an exalted title or rank
b(1)
(2)
: a ceremonial rite or observance
buried with full military honors
c
: an award in a contest or field of competition
d
archaic : a gesture of deference : bow
e honors plural
(1)
: an academic distinction conferred on a superior student
(2)
: a course of study for superior students supplementing or replacing a regular course
7
: chastity, purity
fought fiercely for her honor and her lifeBarton Black
8
a
: a keen sense of ethical conduct : integrity
a man of honor
b
: one's word given as a guarantee of performance
on my honor, I will be there
9
honors plural : social courtesies or civilities extended by a host
asked her to do the honors
10
a(1)
: an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten especially of the trump suit in bridge
(2)
: the scoring value of honors held in bridge
usually used in plural
b
: the privilege of playing first from the tee in golf

honor

2 of 2

verb

hon·​or ˈä-nər How to pronounce honor (audio)
honored; honoring ˈä-nə-riŋ How to pronounce honor (audio)
ˈän-riŋ

transitive verb

1
a
: to regard or treat (someone) with admiration and respect : to regard or treat with honor
b
: to give special recognition to : to confer honor on
2
a
: to live up to or fulfill the terms of
honor a commitment
b
: to accept as payment
honor a credit card
3
: to salute with a bow in square dancing
honoree noun
honorer noun
Choose the Right Synonym for honor

honor, homage, reverence, deference mean respect and esteem shown to another.

honor may apply to the recognition of one's right to great respect or to any expression of such recognition.

the nomination is an honor

homage adds the implication of accompanying praise.

paying homage to Shakespeare

reverence implies profound respect mingled with love, devotion, or awe.

great reverence for my father

deference implies a yielding or submitting to another's judgment or preference out of respect or reverence.

showed no deference to their elders

synonyms see in addition honesty

Examples of honor in a Sentence

Noun Many of the Persians, despite belonging to the Barbarian Other, come off with honor and dignity in his pages, even during the final narrative of Xerxes' invasion. Peter Green, New York Review of Books, 15 May 2008
Whoever footed the bill, the episode gave Marsh a taste of the grand life she yearned for. Presiding at balls in her honor and making entrances at lavish picnics were distinctions she could never have dreamed of back home. Edmund S. Morgan et al., New York Review of Books, 27 Sept. 2007
"As I was saying," he said, smiling at the sea of students before him, all of whom were still gazing transfixed at Mad-Eye Moody, "we are to have the honor of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event that has not been held for over a century." J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, 2000
These people deserve to be treated with honor. The team brought honor to the school. The building was named in honor of the city's founder. He was prepared to fight to defend his family's honor. She has a keen sense of honor. He would not do it as a matter of honor. He's a man of honor. It was an honor to be invited. Verb Cape Ann, an hour's drive north of Boston, is far sleepier than the famous elbow that bounds the southern reach of Massachusetts Bay.  … There aren't any schmaltzy songs about my granite cape, which was named to honor a queen, thank you very much. Anita Diamant, National Geographic Traveler, September 2005
But by talking with hikers and trail builders in the years since, and tracing the history these stone piles carry with them, I would learn that cairns are more than just interesting curiosities. I would discover that cairns honor the dead, save lives, mark boundaries, protect vegetation, claim territory, and reflect the seasons. Barbara Claire Kasselmann, AMC Outdoors, May 1999
Ricketts left for Mexico to study typhus in July of that year, where it killed him in 1910 at the age of thirty-nine. To honor his memory, the organisms that cause typhus and sundry spotted fevers were dubbed rickettsia in 1916. Wayne Biddle, A Field Guide to Germs, 1995
"Elegant Attire is a tradition in the Saratoga Clubhouse," says a sign outside the clubhouse. "Ladies and gentlemen who continue to honor this tradition (e.g., dresses, suits or sport jackets) are always appreciated." It is not easy to arbitrate good taste, particularly when the temperature is soaring toward the 90's on a humid day. George Vecsey, New York Times, 21 Aug. 1994
When we got married, we promised to love and honor each other. We were honored with the queen's presence. She has been honored by several organizations for her charitable works. We need to find an appropriate way to honor these brave people. They have established a scholarship as a way to honor his memory. They are accused of failing to honor their debts.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The fashion show will be hosted by Brandee Evans and honor June Ambrose with the NAACP Vanguard Award for Fashion. Tyler Coates, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2024 Six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan – the reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week with Dončić taking home the honor for the West – was held to only 13 points in a dismal shooting night for the whole squad. Sam Joseph, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 The friend of Harith praised the girl's wisdom and honor and consoled his frustrated friend. Nwa Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 11 Mar. 2024 And La Concha Beach on Spain’s Northern coastline took No. 3 honors. Jackie Burrell, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 Among the latter was Lily Gladstone, who portrayed Mollie Burkhart in Killers of the Flower Moon and was the first Native American woman to be nominated for the honor. Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 11 Mar. 2024 But eventually, the crowd stood and clapped as Christopher Nolan’s cast and team took the stage to be recognized for their honor before listening to Emma Thomas’s acceptance speech. Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2024 The 96th Academy Awards took place at the Dolby Theatre last night, distributing honors to the best and brightest in film directing, writing, acting and more. The Enquirer, 11 Mar. 2024 The honor ultimately went to Robert Downey Jr. for his part in Oppenheimer, which took home Best Picture. Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024
Verb
During the ceremony, Palencia was honored with the BMI President’s Award for his contributions as a songwriter in the música mexicana genre throughout his career, which spans over two decades. Griselda Flores, Billboard, 14 Mar. 2024 The awards dinner will be hosted by Sherri Shepherd and honor Frankie Beverly with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Beatrice Verhoeven, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024 Shaw drew the connection between 3.14 and March 14 during that retreat, and the first informal Pi Day was celebrated that same year at the museum to honor Oppenheimer's memory. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2024 The Beverly Hills, 90210 alum, 50, shared photos on her Instagram Story on Wednesday honoring her son Liam on his 17th birthday. Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 With this project, the helmer has an unparalleled opportunity to honor his original profession. Peter Debruge, Variety, 13 Mar. 2024 This week, Lenny Kravitz was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Alex Kessler, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024 Michigan First Credit Union dishes out free coney meals Michigan First Credit Union is honoring 313 Day by handing out vouchers for a free meal from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at one of Detroit's two landmark Coney Island restaurants: American Coney Island or Lafayette Coney Island. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 12 Mar. 2024 Recognizing the importance of traditional dietary laws and honoring traditions, Grand Velas Riviera Maya has created a special website for Jewish guests to learn more about its offerings and submit questions or requests for more information. Roger Sands, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'honor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French onur, honur, from Latin honos, honor

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of honor was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near honor

Cite this Entry

“Honor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honor. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

honor

1 of 2 noun
hon·​or ˈän-ər How to pronounce honor (audio)
1
a
: a good name or public admiration : reputation
b
: a showing of respect : recognition
a dinner in honor of a new coach
2
: privilege entry 1
whom have I the honor of addressing
3
a
capitalized
used especially as a title for an official of high rank (as a judge)
if your Honor please
b
: one whose worth brings respect or fame : credit
an honor to your profession
4
a
: evidence or a symbol of great respect (as a title or medal)
b
plural : special credit or recognition given to graduating students for high achievement
also : a course of study for advanced students that is in place of or in addition to regular courses
5
b
: high moral standards of behavior : integrity
a person of honor
6
plural : courteous actions of a host or hostess
did the honors at the table

honor

2 of 2 verb
honored; honoring ˈän-(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce honor (audio)
1
a
: to treat with honor : respect
honor your parents
b
: to give an honor to
2
: to fulfill the terms of
honored the contract

Legal Definition

honor

transitive verb
hon·​or
honored; honoring
1
: to accept and pay
the bank honored the check
2
: to purchase or discount (a draft) in compliance with a letter of credit

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