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
Its historic honor system expects every member of the community, especially students, to act honestly, respectfully, and responsibly.
—
Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Florida’s approach for policing water contamination amounts to an honor system that protects polluting industries — including agriculture and development, whose representatives lobby heavily in Tallahassee, the Times found.
—Bethany Barnes, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2026
Angel-Martinez’s defense attorney, Randall Barnum, talked about the formative years before the age of 21 and said that in juvenile correction, Angel-Martinez has been involved in the honor system and participated in the education process.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 11 Dec. 2025
The speedy style of play popularized in chess’ digital arena is somewhat reliant on the honor system.
—Corey Williams, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for honor system
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Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Florida’s approach for policing water contamination amounts to an honor system that protects polluting industries — including agriculture and development, whose representatives lobby heavily in Tallahassee, the Times found.
—Bethany Barnes, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2026
Angel-Martinez’s defense attorney, Randall Barnum, talked about the formative years before the age of 21 and said that in juvenile correction, Angel-Martinez has been involved in the honor system and participated in the education process.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 11 Dec. 2025
The speedy style of play popularized in chess’ digital arena is somewhat reliant on the honor system.
—Corey Williams, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for honor system
Cite this Entry
“Honor system.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honor%20system. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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