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
Kerry will be called that because Massachusetts’ less than favorite son received an honorary knighthood a week ago by King Charles III for Sir John’s contribution to saving the planet as Joe Biden’s Climate Czar.
—
Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 4 Dec. 2025
Jodie Foster took stock of her career spanning more than 50 years as she was feted with an honorary award at the Marrakech Film Festival on Saturday evening.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Nov. 2025
This year, the honorary captains were Brett Dedeaux, chief executive of Dedeaux Properties, and Mary Ricks, former president of Kennedy Wilson.
—Samantha Gowen, Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025
At the end of September, Silvia Venturini Fendi was named honorary president.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for honorary
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Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 4 Dec. 2025
Jodie Foster took stock of her career spanning more than 50 years as she was feted with an honorary award at the Marrakech Film Festival on Saturday evening.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Nov. 2025
This year, the honorary captains were Brett Dedeaux, chief executive of Dedeaux Properties, and Mary Ricks, former president of Kennedy Wilson.
—Samantha Gowen, Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025
At the end of September, Silvia Venturini Fendi was named honorary president.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for honorary
Cite this Entry
“Honorary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honorary. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.
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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