innocence
noun
in·no·cence
ˈi-nə-sən(t)s 
1
a
: freedom from legal guilt of a particular crime or offense
b
: freedom from guilt or sin through being unacquainted with evil : blamelessness
c
: lack of knowledge : ignorance
… written in entire innocence of the Italian language.—
E. R. Bentley
E. R. Bentley
d(1)
: freedom from guile or cunning : simplicity
(2)
: lack of worldly experience or sophistication
e
: chastity
2
: one that is innocent
3
: bluet
Examples of innocence in a Sentence
He vows that he will prove his innocence in court.
the trusting innocence of childhood
The age of innocence was over.
Recent Examples on the Web
In November, Barrientos-Quintana — who always maintained his innocence and was never linked to the crime by any physical evidence — walked out of prison.
—Jessica Lussenhop, ProPublica, 29 Mar. 2025
Littlejohn maintained his innocence, though, claiming that his co-conspirator Glenn Bethany pulled the trigger.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2025
Depardieu has maintained his innocence in the years since many of the allegations became public.
—USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2025
Fifteen years after his conviction, Baker still maintains his innocence, saying that his wife died of an apparent suicide.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for innocence
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jessica Lussenhop, ProPublica, 29 Mar. 2025
Littlejohn maintained his innocence, though, claiming that his co-conspirator Glenn Bethany pulled the trigger.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2025
Depardieu has maintained his innocence in the years since many of the allegations became public.
—USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2025
Fifteen years after his conviction, Baker still maintains his innocence, saying that his wife died of an apparent suicide.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for innocence
Cite this Entry
“Innocence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/innocence. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
innocence
noun
in·no·cence
ˈin-ə-sən(t)s
: the quality or state of being innocent
Legal Definition
innocence
noun
in·no·cence
ˈi-nə-səns
: freedom from fault or guilt under the law: as
a
: the state of not being guilty of a particular crime or offense compare guilt
b
: the state of not being guilty of an act that constitutes a ground for divorce
c
: ignorance on the part of a party to a transaction of facts that would lead a person of ordinary prudence to make inquiries
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share