First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1honor
noun hon·or \ˈä-nər\
: respect that is given to someone who is admired
: good reputation : good quality or character as judged by other people
: high moral standards of behavior
Full Definition of HONOR
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: 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 d archaic : a gesture of deference : bow e 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
plural : social courtesies or civilities extended by a host <asked her to do the honors>
10
See honor defined for English-language learners
See honor defined for kids
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Examples of HONOR
- 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
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Origin of HONOR
Middle English, from Anglo-French onur, honur, from Latin honos, honor
Related to HONOR
- Synonyms
- honesty, integrity, probity, rectitude, righteousness, uprightness
Synonym Discussion of HONOR
honor, homage, reverence, deference mean respect and esteem shown to another. honor may apply to the recognition of one's right to great respect or to any expression of such recognition <the nomination is an honor>. homage adds the implication of accompanying praise <paying homage to Shakespeare>. reverence implies profound respect mingled with love, devotion, or awe <great reverence for my father>. deference implies a yielding or submitting to another's judgment or preference out of respect or reverence <showed no deference to their elders>.
synonyms see in addition honesty
2honor
verb hon·or \ˈä-nər\
: to regard or treat (someone) with respect and admiration : to show or give honor to (someone)
: to show admiration for (someone or something) in a public way : to give a public honor to (someone or something)
: to do what is required by (something, such as a promise or a contract)
hon·oredhon·or·ing \ˈä-nə-riŋ, ˈän-riŋ\
Full Definition of HONOR
transitive verb
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
— hon·or·ee \ˌä-nə-ˈrē\ noun
— hon·or·er \ˈä-nər-ər\ noun
See honor defined for English-language learners
Examples of HONOR
- 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
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Origin of HONOR
(see 1honor)
First Known Use: 13th century
HONOR Defined for Kids
1honor
noun hon·or \ˈä-nər\
Definition of HONOR for Kids
1
: good character as judged by other people : reputation
2
: outward respect : recognition <The dinner is in honor of the new coach.>
3
: privilege 1 <You will have the honor of leading the parade.>
4
—used especially as a title for an official of high rank <Please welcome His Honor, the mayor.>
5
: a person whose character and accomplishments bring respect or fame <You are an honor to your profession.>
6
: evidence or a symbol of great respect <She's won many national honors.>
7
: high moral standards of behavior <He's a man of honor.>
2honor
verb
hon·oredhon·or·ing
Definition of HONOR for Kids
1
: 2respect 1 <Honor your parents.>
2
: to recognize and show admiration for publicly <He was honored at a special ceremony.>
3
: to live up to or fulfill the requirements of <She didn't honor her promise.>
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