parole

noun pa·role \ pə-ˈrōl \

Updated on: 19 Apr 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

In most states, ex-felons can vote after completing jail time, parole and probation.

— dan sweeney, Sun-Sentinel.com, "What do you think of the move to restore felon voting rights?," 4 Apr. 2018
In the fallout from Kane’s attack, Sheetz was forced out as a prosecutor in Lancaster County and Feathers had to step down from the state parole board.

— craig r. mccoy, Philly.com, "Federal judge gives go-ahead to lawsuit against former Attorney General Kane," 4 Apr. 2018
In April 2017, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law a bill that banned judges from overriding a jury's recommendation on a sentence of life without parole or death.

— ivana hrynkiw, AL.com, "U.S. Supreme Court won't review cases of two Alabama death row inmates," 2 Apr. 2018
Those rights are automatically restored once the person completes their sentence, including any parole or probation requirements attached to it.

— matt ford, The New Republic, "Texas’s voter-fraud crusade sends a mother of two to prison for five years.," 30 Mar. 2018
The case was reopened at the urging of the Innocence Clinic at University of Michigan law school after a co-defendant at the '72 trial told the state parole board that Phillips wasn't involved in the slaying of Gregory Harris.

— crimesider staff, CBS News, "Michigan man exonerated after 45 years in prison," 28 Mar. 2018
For the record,the third vote -- a vote against granting parole -- was offered by a Joseph Link, a Xavier University economic professor.

— cameron knight, Cincinnati.com, "50 years ago this protester spent 62 days fasting in Cincinnati jail. She's still got game.," 26 Mar. 2018
Authority shifted, in effect, from parole boards to the legislature and prosecutors.

— rachel aviv, The New Yorker, "Inside California’s War on Trump," 19 Mar. 2018
The parole board, the only authority in Georgia with the power to commute a death sentence, on Wednesday declined to spare his life after holding a closed-door hearing to listen to arguments for and against clemency.

— kate brumback, chicagotribune.com, "Georgia executes man known as the 'stocking strangler,' who raped and killed older women," 15 Mar. 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

He was sent to state prison, where he was paroled once — and sent back for violating parole — before completing his sentence on June 24, 2014, when he was released.

— john r. ellement, BostonGlobe.com, "Officer slaying suspect had violent criminal history; wanted for violating probation on gun charge," 13 Apr. 2018
He could be paroled within three or four years, his attorneys noted at his sentencing last year.

— jason clayworth, USA TODAY, "The untold story of how a gaming geek with a checkered past pulled off the biggest lottery scam in U.S. history," 26 Mar. 2018
Instead of paroling them, as is often the case when detainees don't pose a risk, federal agents have kept Gutierrez and his son in detention in El Paso for nearly three months.

— kate linthicum, latimes.com, "Lawyers for Mexican journalist blame his detention in the U.S. on Trump's 'anti-Mexican bias'," 7 Mar. 2018
Lahr had previously been paroled in 2016 but was recommitted after allegedly driving under the influence of prescription drugs and other charges related to striking a utility pole on Route 147.

— Fox News, "Parole denied for men linked to rock toss that severely injured teacher," 21 Mar. 2018
He was paroled in 1994 but was returned to prison three years later after making no effort to pay a judgement to the wife of the Speedway man who had been seriously injured in the bombing and who later committed suicide.

— will higgins, Indianapolis Star, "When bombs go off: Speedway knows how Austin feels," 20 Mar. 2018
Prevatte was sentenced to life in prison, but was later paroled.

— kevin rector, baltimoresun.com, "A look at past incidents of violence in and around Maryland schools," 20 Mar. 2018
If a transfer hearing is requested, a juvenile judge would decide whether she should be paroled or transferred to adult prison to complete her sentence.

— deanna boyd, star-telegram, "Teen girl who hatched plan for home invasion that left young father dead gets 20 years | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 23 Feb. 2018
Two years after he was paroled in 1992, a string of violent robberies terrorized Dallas.

— barbara bradley hagerty, The Atlantic, "Can You Prove Your Innocence Without DNA?," 6 Mar. 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