honor system

Definition of honor system

: 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 Skis and boots are even loaned out for free via an honor system. — Megan Michelson, Outside Online, "The Best Nordic Trails in the U.S.," 28 Dec. 2020 Wisinski, Kent’s immunization supervisor, expects vaccinations for those with health conditions to proceed on the honor system. — Ted Roelofs, Detroit Free Press, "Who gets COVID-19 vaccine next? Mich. health officials face 'incredibly difficult decisions'," 22 Dec. 2020 Dozens of West Point cadets have been accused of cheating on a math exam in a scandal that officials on Monday said could be the largest violation of the school’s honor system in years. — NBC News, "Dozens of West Point cadets accused of cheating on math exam," 21 Dec. 2020 The changes included a restructuring of West Point’s entire academic program, major changes in military training and a revamping of the cadet honor system. — New York Times, "More Than 70 West Point Cadets Are Accused in Cheating Scandal," 21 Dec. 2020 Airlines' health questionnaires are on the honor system. — Dawn Gilbertson, USA TODAY, "A United passenger who fell ill on a flight from Orlando and died had COVID-19 symptoms: airline officials," 18 Dec. 2020 His question brought up a memory of a small coffee shop that operated on the honor system. — Beth Thames | Bethmthames@gmail.com, al, "Is the honor system still out there?," 2 Dec. 2020 While the state has issued hundreds of citations for bars and restaurants disobeying occupancy and mask rules, more recent dictums from Mr. Cuomo have been largely contingent on a honor system. — Jesse Mckinley, New York Times, "As the Virus Surges, How Much Longer Can New York Avoid a Full Shutdown?," 19 Nov. 2020 Alaska public records law works on a kind of honor system. — Kyle Hopkins, ProPublica, "Junior Staffer Says Top Alaska Official Told Her to Keep Allegations of Misconduct Secret," 18 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'honor system.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

14 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Honor system.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honor%20system. Accessed 20 Jan. 2021.

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