honor system

noun

: a system (as at a college) whereby persons are trusted to abide by the regulations (as for a code of conduct) without supervision or surveillance

Examples of honor system in a Sentence

Customers are on the honor system to pay for any software they choose to purchase.

Recent Examples on the Web

Dawes also criticized the government’s reliance on an honor system in overseeing the project, saying relevant departments should bear responsibility. — ABC News, 17 July 2026

The program operates on an honor system, meaning no qualification is required. — La'tasha Givens, CBS News, 27 May 2026

The Honor Code can’t run on the honor system anymore. — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026

Running on the honor system, a trademark of Swiss culture, these small farm stands (or hofladens) vary in size, shape, and contents. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for honor system

• cryptosystem
• ecosystem
• intersystem
• multisystem
• photosystem
• subsystem

Kids Definition

honor system

noun

: a system (as at a school) where persons are trusted to follow the rules without supervision