SINCE 1828
parole
noun
pa·role
| \ pə-ˈrōl
\
\
Definition of parole
(Entry 1 of 2)
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
4a
: language viewed as a specific individual usage : performance
b
: a linguistic act — compare langue
parole
verb
paroled;
paroling
Definition of parole (Entry 2 of 2)
: to release (a prisoner) on parole
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Examples of parole in a Sentence
Noun
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 on the Web: Noun
In Iowa, Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds proposed a state constitutional amendment Tuesday to restore voting rights to people who have completed all terms of their sentences, including parole. — Jon Kamp, WSJ, "Push to Give Felons the Vote Shifts to Iowa and Kentucky," 23 Jan. 2019 The California Constitution grants crime victims 17 rights in the judicial process, including tightening parole requirements and protecting victims from defendants. — Stavros Agorakis, Vox, "Vox Sentences: Tomorrow’s big ballot initiatives, briefly explained," 6 Nov. 2018 The bad news: Our current plots are about an affidavit, a business deal, two paroles, and two internships. — Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, "Every Single Episode of Gossip Girl, Ranked," 19 Sep. 2018 Liu Hui was later released on medical parole—a decision that can no doubt be reversed. — Emily Rauhala, Washington Post, "Poet Liu Xia escaped China, but will Beijing ever set her free?," 13 July 2018 The Twin Rivers Police Department charged him with burglary, trespassing and parole violation, and the fire department charged Prater with arson of a structure. — Jordan Cutler-tietjen, sacbee, "Arrest made in 'deliberate' Grant Union High fire that caused $1 million in damage," 10 July 2018 Norman then sentenced him to life without the possibility of parole, plus a consecutive life sentence. — Pamela Wood, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore County man sentenced to life in prison in killing of ex-wife and her boyfriend," 10 July 2018 He was reported as a fugitive on May 22 for absconding from parole. — Cynthia Sewell, idahostatesman, "Meridian officer, chasing fugitive alone, didn't know who he'd shot until it was over," 3 July 2018 Lulu Martinez and eight others calling themselves the 'Dream 9' presented themselves to border patrol in 2013 with a petition to be granted humanitarian parole. — Jacqueline Serrato, Hoy, "Queer Chicagoan who turned herself in to border patrol granted asylum," 25 June 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
During that time, prisoners have received life terms with the possibility they could be paroled if the governor signed off — and Blumberg’s commission has recommended release in some cases. — Ann E. Marimow, Washington Post, "Who will stay, who will go free? The question at the heart of a parole commissioner’s job," 19 Mar. 2018 But now Jameson, who has since been paroled, will have another chance to bring his now 16-year-old case. — Greg Moran, sandiegouniontribune.com, "State high court strikes down rule requiring poor to pay for own court reporter in civil courts," 6 July 2018 Lima received the stiffest sentence—16 years at Leavenworth—but was paroled after serving eight. — Peter Duffy, WSJ, "‘Inspector Oldfield and the Black Hand Society’ Review: The Mafia and the Mail," 20 Aug. 2018 Perry spent 10 years in prison before being paroled. — Fox News, "26 years after conviction, 2 exonerated in false rape claim," 8 May 2018 The decision to parole the parents of the younger children was announced hours before the Flores decision was issued. — Kristina Davis, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Trump administration says detained parents must decide whether to keep families intact," 10 July 2018 Bell had requested to be paroled in California to be closer to his family. — Bradford Betz, Fox News, "Wife of cop killer plunged to her death, coroner's office rules," 22 June 2018 After serving 62 months in prison for the murder conspiracy, Townley was paroled in 1983 and placed in the federal witness protection program. — Washington Post, BostonGlobe.com, "Seymour Glanzer, an original Watergate prosecutor, dies at 91," 31 May 2018 Jones served both sentences concurrently and was due to be paroled in March, as per a law designed to reduce prison crowding. — Elizabeth Zavala, San Antonio Express-News, "Child killer Genene Jones to receive psychological evaluation," 30 May 2018These 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.
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More Definitions for parole
parole
noun
English Language Learners Definition of parole
(Entry 1 of 2)
: permission given to a prisoner to leave prison before the end of a sentence usually as a reward for behaving well
parole
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of parole (Entry 2 of 2)
: to release (a prisoner) on parole
See the full definition for parole in the English Language Learners Dictionary
parole
noun
pa·role
| \ pə-ˈrōl
\
\
Kids Definition of parole
: an early release of a prisoner
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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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
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