parole

noun pa·role \ pə-ˈrōl \

|Updated on: 8 Aug 2018

Definition of parole

1 : a promise made with or confirmed by a pledge of one's honor; especially : the promise of a prisoner of war to fulfill stated conditions in consideration of his release

2 : a watchword given only to officers of the guard and of the day

3 : a conditional release of a prisoner serving an indeterminate or unexpired sentence

4 a : language viewed as a specific individual usage : performance

b : a linguistic act — compare langue

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parole

adjective

See parole defined for English-language learners

See parole defined for kids

Examples of parole in a Sentence

The prisoner will be eligible for parole after three years.
She robbed a bank while out on parole.
The prisoner was released on parole.

Recent Examples of parole from the Web

Federal prosecutors have agreed not to seek the death penalty in exchange for five life sentences and 120 years without the possibility of parole.

— tonya alanez, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Deputies were at a party when Fort Lauderdale airport shooting began, says widow's lawsuit," 12 July 2018
The plaintiffs include four prisoners serving life sentences without the chance of parole.

— laura crimaldi, BostonGlobe.com, "Prisoners’ suit challenges restrictive new rules on visits to prisons," 12 July 2018
Gabriel’s mother, Pearl Fernandez, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, after pleading guilty to first-degree murder.

— NBC News, "Death of Anthony Avalos has parallels to another child abuse case in L.A.," 8 July 2018
Circuit Judge Jenifer Harris set the sentencing hearing for Monday at 9 a.m. He will be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

— gal tziperman lotan, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Darell Avant should get life in prison for killing son, jury decides, ruling out death penalty," 5 July 2018
The lab/bulldog/hound mix could have been serving a life sentence in a shelter after his owner was sent to prison without the possibility of parole last year.

— karen pearlman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Santee firefighter's dog Victor goes from rescued to rescuer," 5 July 2018
Urbanski could receive a life sentence without the possibility of parole if convicted of the first-degree murder charge, and an additional 20 years if convicted of a hate crime resulting in death.

— childs walker, baltimoresun.com, "Trial delayed for former UM student charged with hate crime in fatal stabbing of Bowie State student," 5 July 2018
The driver sits in jail with no possibility of parole.

— john baer, Philly.com, "Sharif Street is on a mission for criminal justice reform," 29 June 2018
If convicted on all charges, Kim faces the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.

— melissa etehad, latimes.com, "Feud between residents at Long Beach senior living facility led to fatal shooting of firefighter, authorities say," 27 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of parole

French, speech, parole, from Middle French, from Late Latin parabola speech — more at parable

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1531

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

parole

verb

Definition of parole

paroled; paroling

transitive verb

: to release (a prisoner) on parole

See parole defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of parole from the Web

Jenkins, who was living with his mother after being paroled on an aggravated assault charge from 2005 according to court records, was nowhere to be found when his mother’s body was discovered.

— matthew martinez, star-telegram, "Ex-con was on cocaine, PCP when ‘voices’ told him to kill his 79-year-old mom, Texas cops say," 12 July 2018
But in 1992, a few years after being paroled, Boblit was charged and convicted for rape and sent back to prison for life.

— Longreads, "The Bungled Bank Robbery That Ended in a Landmark Legal Ruling," 26 June 2018
The 2010 killing of Woburn Police Officer John Maguire by Cinelli, who served about 30 years before he was paroled, led to mass resignations of the parole board and a tightening of parole eligibility requirements under then-governor Deval Patrick.

— maria cramer, BostonGlobe.com, "Parole board still slow to release inmates 8 years after ex-convict killed officer, critics say," 26 June 2018
Lively was paroled July 25, 1980, and died less than a year later.

— dawn mitchell, Indianapolis Star, "True crime: The 'dresser drawer murder' at the Claypool Hotel," 13 July 2018
Under that practice, adult migrants are paroled into the country while their lengthy asylum and deportation proceedings play out.

— katie benner, New York Times, "Due Process for Undocumented Immigrants, Explained," 25 June 2018
Authorities could also parole them into the community, possibly under GPS monitoring.

— kristina davis, sandiegouniontribune.com, "The family separation injunction: What you need to know," 27 June 2018
But not long after he was paroled, Mr. Grimm began plotting his comeback bid to unseat Mr. Donovan, the former Staten Island district attorney who had replaced him in Washington.

— shane goldmacher, New York Times, "Dan Donovan, Aided by Trump, Holds Off Michael Grimm in G.O.P. Primary," 26 June 2018
After some legal maneuvering on both sides, the governor granted Brady clemency, and he was paroled in 1974.

— Longreads, "The Bungled Bank Robbery That Ended in a Landmark Legal Ruling," 26 June 2018

First Known Use of parole

1776

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

PAROLE Defined for English Language Learners

parole

noun

Definition of parole for English Language Learners

: permission given to a prisoner to leave prison before the end of a sentence usually as a reward for behaving well

parole

verb

Definition of parole for English Language Learners

: to release (a prisoner) on parole

PAROLE Defined for Kids

parole

noun pa·role \ pə-ˈrōl \

Definition of parole for Students

: an early release of a prisoner

Medical Dictionary

parole

noun pa·role \ pə-ˈrōl \

medical Definition of parole

: a conditional release given to a psychiatric patient in a hospital before discharge enabling the patient to visit freely various designated areas on the hospital grounds or beyond its limits

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parolable

adjective

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parole

transitive verb paroled; paroling

Law Dictionary

parole

noun pa·role \ pə-ˈrōl \

legal Definition of parole

: a conditional release of a prisoner who has served part of a sentence and who remains under the control of and in the legal custody of a parole authority — compare probation

Origin and Etymology of parole

Old French, speech, word, prisoner's word of honor to fulfill stated conditions, from Late Latin parabola speech, parable, from Greek parabolē comparison