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
Synonyms
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
For more than a year, Falaschi maintained his innocence, insisting there had been no theft.
—Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2024
Weinstein, who maintains his innocence, opted not to defend his actions as consensual encounters to avoid being questioned about two dozen-plus alleged acts of misbehavior, which Weinstein’s attorney said went back four decades.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Apr. 2024
Peterson, who has always maintained his innocence, is currently serving a life prison sentence after a judge overturned his death sentence following a prior appeal.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 25 Apr. 2024
At a trial, which judges a person's guilt or innocence, prosecutors must prove someone is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, a higher standard than is required for grand juries.
—Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 24 Apr. 2024
Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, has maintained his innocence.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024
Knox now hopes that a not guilty verdict will remove any lingering doubt about her innocence and clear her name.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Simpson continued to maintain his innocence in media interviews.
—Emma Bowman, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024
Polls showed deep fissures between Black people and white people on the question of his innocence.
—Elaine Woo, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2024
Weinstein, who maintains his innocence, opted not to defend his actions as consensual encounters to avoid being questioned about two dozen-plus alleged acts of misbehavior, which Weinstein’s attorney said went back four decades.
—Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Apr. 2024
Peterson, who has always maintained his innocence, is currently serving a life prison sentence after a judge overturned his death sentence following a prior appeal.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 25 Apr. 2024
At a trial, which judges a person's guilt or innocence, prosecutors must prove someone is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, a higher standard than is required for grand juries.
—Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 24 Apr. 2024
Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, has maintained his innocence.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024
Knox now hopes that a not guilty verdict will remove any lingering doubt about her innocence and clear her name.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Simpson continued to maintain his innocence in media interviews.
—Emma Bowman, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024
Polls showed deep fissures between Black people and white people on the question of his innocence.
—Elaine Woo, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'innocence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near innocence
Cite this Entry
“Innocence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/innocence. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
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
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