pardons; pardoned; pardoning
1
: to officially say that someone who is guilty of a crime will be allowed to go free and will not be punished
pardon a criminal
2
: to say that someone should not be blamed for thinking, doing, or saying something
—usually used as (be) pardoned for
Voters can/should/could be pardoned for thinking this election would be different.
3
: to officially say that a person, country, etc., does not have to pay (a debt)
The group wants the debt of the world's poorest countries to be pardoned. [=forgiven]
4
—used to be polite in asking questions or saying things that could be considered rude
Pardon my ignorance, but what does "naiveté" mean?
Pardon my asking, but is that your natural hair color?
Pardon my saying so, but you look tired today. = You look tired today, if you'll pardon my saying so.
Pardon me for asking, but how old are you?
plural pardons
1
: an act of officially saying that someone who was judged to be guilty of a crime will be allowed to go free and will not be punished
The governor granted him a pardon.
She received a presidential/royal pardon. [=a pardon from a president or a king or queen]
2
formal
: forgiveness for something
He asked/begged my pardon for taking so much of my time.
Cite this Entry
“Pardon.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/pardon. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
Copy Citation
