honor

1 of 2

noun

hon·​or ˈä-nər 

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: such 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 honors plural

(1)

: an academic distinction conferred on a superior student

(2)

: a course of study for superior students supplementing or replacing a regular course

7

: chastity, purity

fought fiercely for her honor and her life

—Barton Black

8

a

: a keen sense of ethical conduct : integrity

a man of honor

b

: one's word given as a guarantee of performance

on my honor, I will be there

9

honors plural : social courtesies or civilities extended by a host

asked her to do the honors

10

a(1)

: an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten especially of the trump suit in bridge

(2)

: the scoring value of honors held in bridge

—usually used in plural

b

: the privilege of playing first from the tee in golf

honor

2 of 2

verb

hon·​or ˈä-nər 

honored; honoring ˈä-nə-riŋ 

ˈän-riŋ

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

honoree

ˌä-nə-ˈrē 

noun

honorer

ˈä-nər-ər 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• honesty
• integrity
• probity
• rectitude
• righteousness
• uprightness

Verb

• fete
• fête
• recognize

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of honor in a Sentence

Noun

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

These people deserve to be treated with honor.

The team brought honor to the school.

The building was named in honor of the city's founder.

He was prepared to fight to defend his family's honor.

She has a keen sense of honor.

He would not do it as a matter of honor.

He's a man of honor.

It was an honor to be invited.

Verb

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

When we got married, we promised to love and honor each other.

We were honored with the queen's presence.

She has been honored by several organizations for her charitable works.

We need to find an appropriate way to honor these brave people.

They have established a scholarship as a way to honor his memory.

They are accused of failing to honor their debts.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In 2020, he was awarded South Carolina’s top honor for assertive journalism. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 18 Mar. 2025

He was awarded the honor in King Charles’ list that was published on Jan. 1 this year. —Simon Perry, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025

Verb

Rahm isn’t the first to honor his nation with his food choices at the prestigious dinner. —Ben Church, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025

The celebration will honor the incredible talent advancing Asian and Pacific Islander representation in front of and behind the camera over the last year, and highlights their exceptional efforts in entertainment. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French onur, honur, from Latin honos, honor

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing honor

• badge of honor/pride
• court of honor
• do (someone) the honor
• field of honor
• guard of honor
• guest of honor
• honor bound
• honor guard
• honor killing
• honor roll
• honor society
• honor system
• in honor of
• in (someone's) honor
• maid of honor
• matron of honor
• on one's honor
• place of honor
• point of honor
• redound to someone's credit/honor
• word of honor

Rhymes for honor

• conner
• honour
• wanner
• afrikaner
• dishonor

Kids Definition

honor

1 of 2 noun

hon·​or ˈän-ər 

1

a

: a good name or public admiration : reputation

b

: a showing of respect : recognition

a dinner in honor of a new coach

2

: privilege entry 1

whom have I the honor of addressing

3

a

capitalized

—used especially as a title for an official of high rank (as a judge)

if your Honor please

b

: one whose worth brings respect or fame : credit

an honor to your profession

4

a

: evidence or a symbol of great respect (as a title or medal)

b

plural : special credit or recognition given to graduating students for high achievement

also : a course of study for advanced students that is in place of or in addition to regular courses

5

a

: chastity, purity

b

: high moral standards of behavior : integrity

a person of honor

6

plural : courteous actions of a host or hostess

did the honors at the table

honor

2 of 2 verb

honored; honoring ˈän-(ə-)riŋ 

1

a

: to treat with honor : respect

honor your parents

b

: to give an honor to

2

: to fulfill the terms of

honored the contract

Legal Definition

honor

transitive verb

hon·​or

honored; honoring

1

: to accept and pay

the bank honored the check

2

: to purchase or discount (a draft) in compliance with a letter of credit