1
a
: good name or public esteem : reputation
b
: a showing of usually merited respect : recognition
pay honor to our founder
2
: privilege
had the honor of joining the captain for dinner
3
: a person of superior standing
—now used especially as a title for a holder of high office
if Your Honor please
4
: one whose worth brings respect or fame : credit
an honor to the profession
5
: the center point of the upper half of an armorial escutcheon
6
: an evidence or symbol of distinction: such as
a
: an exalted title or rank
b(1)
: badge, decoration
(2)
: a ceremonial rite or observance
buried with full military honors
c
: an award in a contest or field of competition
e
honors plural
(1)
: an academic distinction conferred on a superior student
(2)
: a course of study for superior students supplementing or replacing a regular course
8
9
honors plural
: social courtesies or civilities extended by a host
asked her to do the honors
10
a(1)
: an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten especially of the trump suit in bridge
(2)
: the scoring value of honors held in bridge
—usually used in plural
b
: the privilege of playing first from the tee in golf
honored; honoring
ˈä-nə-riŋ 
ˈän-riŋ
1
a
: to regard or treat (someone) with admiration and respect : to regard or treat with honor
b
: to give special recognition to : to confer honor on
2
a
: to live up to or fulfill the terms of
honor a commitment
b
: to accept as payment
honor a credit card
3
: to salute with a bow in square dancing
Examples of honor in a Sentence
Noun
Many of the Persians, despite belonging to the Barbarian Other, come off with honor and dignity in his pages, even during the final narrative of Xerxes' invasion.
—
Peter Green, New York Review of Books, 15 May 2008
Whoever footed the bill, the episode gave Marsh a taste of the grand life she yearned for. Presiding at balls in her honor and making entrances at lavish picnics were distinctions she could never have dreamed of back home.
—Edmund S. Morgan et al., New York Review of Books, 27 Sept. 2007
"As I was saying," he said, smiling at the sea of students before him, all of whom were still gazing transfixed at Mad-Eye Moody, "we are to have the honor of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event that has not been held for over a century."
—J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, 2000
These people deserve to be treated with honor.
The team brought honor to the school.
The building was named in honor of the city's founder.
He was prepared to fight to defend his family's honor.
She has a keen sense of honor.
He would not do it as a matter of honor.
He's a man of honor.
It was an honor to be invited.
Verb
Cape Ann, an hour's drive north of Boston, is far sleepier than the famous elbow that bounds the southern reach of Massachusetts Bay. … There aren't any schmaltzy songs about my granite cape, which was named to honor a queen, thank you very much.
—Anita Diamant, National Geographic Traveler, September 2005
But by talking with hikers and trail builders in the years since, and tracing the history these stone piles carry with them, I would learn that cairns are more than just interesting curiosities. I would discover that cairns honor the dead, save lives, mark boundaries, protect vegetation, claim territory, and reflect the seasons.
—Barbara Claire Kasselmann, AMC Outdoors, May 1999
Ricketts left for Mexico to study typhus in July of that year, where it killed him in 1910 at the age of thirty-nine. To honor his memory, the organisms that cause typhus and sundry spotted fevers were dubbed rickettsia in 1916.
—Wayne Biddle, A Field Guide to Germs, 1995
"Elegant Attire is a tradition in the Saratoga Clubhouse," says a sign outside the clubhouse. "Ladies and gentlemen who continue to honor this tradition (e.g., dresses, suits or sport jackets) are always appreciated." It is not easy to arbitrate good taste, particularly when the temperature is soaring toward the 90's on a humid day.
—George Vecsey, New York Times, 21 Aug. 1994
When we got married, we promised to love and honor each other.
We were honored with the queen's presence.
She has been honored by several organizations for her charitable works.
We need to find an appropriate way to honor these brave people.
They have established a scholarship as a way to honor his memory.
They are accused of failing to honor their debts.
Peter Green, New York Review of Books, 15 May 2008
Whoever footed the bill, the episode gave Marsh a taste of the grand life she yearned for. Presiding at balls in her honor and making entrances at lavish picnics were distinctions she could never have dreamed of back home.
—Edmund S. Morgan et al., New York Review of Books, 27 Sept. 2007
"As I was saying," he said, smiling at the sea of students before him, all of whom were still gazing transfixed at Mad-Eye Moody, "we are to have the honor of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event that has not been held for over a century."
—J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, 2000
These people deserve to be treated with honor.
The team brought honor to the school.
The building was named in honor of the city's founder.
He was prepared to fight to defend his family's honor.
She has a keen sense of honor.
He would not do it as a matter of honor.
He's a man of honor.
It was an honor to be invited.
Verb
Cape Ann, an hour's drive north of Boston, is far sleepier than the famous elbow that bounds the southern reach of Massachusetts Bay. … There aren't any schmaltzy songs about my granite cape, which was named to honor a queen, thank you very much.
—Anita Diamant, National Geographic Traveler, September 2005
But by talking with hikers and trail builders in the years since, and tracing the history these stone piles carry with them, I would learn that cairns are more than just interesting curiosities. I would discover that cairns honor the dead, save lives, mark boundaries, protect vegetation, claim territory, and reflect the seasons.
—Barbara Claire Kasselmann, AMC Outdoors, May 1999
Ricketts left for Mexico to study typhus in July of that year, where it killed him in 1910 at the age of thirty-nine. To honor his memory, the organisms that cause typhus and sundry spotted fevers were dubbed rickettsia in 1916.
—Wayne Biddle, A Field Guide to Germs, 1995
"Elegant Attire is a tradition in the Saratoga Clubhouse," says a sign outside the clubhouse. "Ladies and gentlemen who continue to honor this tradition (e.g., dresses, suits or sport jackets) are always appreciated." It is not easy to arbitrate good taste, particularly when the temperature is soaring toward the 90's on a humid day.
—George Vecsey, New York Times, 21 Aug. 1994
When we got married, we promised to love and honor each other.
We were honored with the queen's presence.
She has been honored by several organizations for her charitable works.
We need to find an appropriate way to honor these brave people.
They have established a scholarship as a way to honor his memory.
They are accused of failing to honor their debts.
Recent Examples on the Web
NPR, 28 Oct. 2025
The honor, presented annually by the Association for the International Diffusion of French Art to an artist who is French or living in France, is accompanied by a €35,000 ($38,000) purse.
—News Desk, Artforum, 27 Oct. 2025
Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Oct. 2025
Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, Burnsville, announced it was honored with the Management Innovation Award by the Minnesota Public Transit Association, recognizing the agency’s deployment of five battery electric buses.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for honor
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show current usage.
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Noun
Confederate statues should be placed in museums as historical artifacts, not remain in parks or other locations that imply honor.
—NPR, 28 Oct. 2025
The honor, presented annually by the Association for the International Diffusion of French Art to an artist who is French or living in France, is accompanied by a €35,000 ($38,000) purse.
—News Desk, Artforum, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
Like Vance, there are signs honoring her throughout the city.
—Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Oct. 2025
Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, Burnsville, announced it was honored with the Management Innovation Award by the Minnesota Public Transit Association, recognizing the agency’s deployment of five battery electric buses.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for honor
Cite this Entry
“Honor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honor. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
honor
1 of 2 noun
hon·or
ˈän-ər
1
a
: a good name or public admiration : reputation
b
: a showing of respect : recognition
a dinner in honor of a new coach
2
: privilege entry 1
whom have I the honor of addressing
3
a
capitalized
—used especially as a title for an official of high rank (as a judge)
if your Honor please
b
: one whose worth brings respect or fame : credit
an honor to your profession
4
a
: evidence or a symbol of great respect (as a title or medal)
b
plural
: special credit or recognition given to graduating students for high achievement
also
: a course of study for advanced students that is in place of or in addition to regular courses
6
plural
: courteous actions of a host or hostess
did the honors at the table
honor
2 of 2 verb
honored; honoring
ˈän-(ə-)riŋ
1
a
: to treat with honor : respect
honor your parents
b
: to give an honor to
2
: to fulfill the terms of
honored the contract
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