honorary
adjective
hon·or·ary
ˈä-nə-ˌrer-ē 
1
a
: having or conferring distinction
an honorary engineering society
b
: commemorative
an honorary plaque
2
: dependent on honor or a keen sense of ethical conduct for fulfillment
an honorary obligation
honorary
noun
Examples of honorary in a Sentence
He was awarded an honorary degree.
He's an honorary member of the club.
He is the honorary president of the commission.
Recent Examples on the Web
The educators at elementary, middle and high schools across the district received honorary titles as chairs of teaching excellence for one year in their respective subjects.
—
Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Jan. 2026
Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber was an honorary captain for Indiana and watched the game from the Hoosiers' sideline.
—CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Last night, January 6, the Sex and the City actress was honored at Golden Eve where she was given the Carol Burnett Award, an honorary prize given for contributions to television—and a few members of her family were there to support her.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026
Ramona’s honorary mayor, Tim Connelly, was in attendance along with former honorary mayors Sharon Davis and John Degenfelder.
—Stephanie Ogilvie, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for honorary
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Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Jan. 2026
Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber was an honorary captain for Indiana and watched the game from the Hoosiers' sideline.
—CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Last night, January 6, the Sex and the City actress was honored at Golden Eve where she was given the Carol Burnett Award, an honorary prize given for contributions to television—and a few members of her family were there to support her.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026
Ramona’s honorary mayor, Tim Connelly, was in attendance along with former honorary mayors Sharon Davis and John Degenfelder.
—Stephanie Ogilvie, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for honorary
Cite this Entry
“Honorary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honorary. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
honorary
adjective
hon·or·ary
ˈän-ə-ˌrer-ē
1
: given or done as a sign of honor
an honorary degree
2
: voluntary entry 1 sense 1, unpaid
honorary president
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