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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The honor system was tested on recorded outs, and Koechner was calling everything a ball and allowing runners who were out to stay on base and run around the path. Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 31 May 2025 That’s the honor system Mohammad Marouf Sharifi uses to keep track of the small debts that accrue when his customers are short on money, particularly toward the end of the month. Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 13 Feb. 2025 About half of schools chose to use the honor system. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025 While well-intentioned, the age verification process is built on an honor system, making the process very porous. Adaira Landry, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for honor system

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of honor system was in 1893

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Cite this Entry

“Honor system.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honor%20system. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

honor system

noun
: a system (as at a school) where persons are trusted to follow the rules without supervision
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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