honour
noun
honour
American
[on-er]
/ ˈɒn ər /
noun
Chiefly British.
honour
1
British
/ ˈɒnə /
noun
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personal integrity; allegiance to moral principles
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fame or glory
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a person or thing that wins this for another
he is an honour to the school
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(often plural) great respect, regard, esteem, etc, or an outward sign of this
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(often plural) high or noble rank
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a privilege or pleasure
it is an honour to serve you
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a woman's virtue or chastity
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bridge poker any of the top five cards in a suit or any of the four aces at no trumps
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whist any of the top four cards
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golf the right to tee off first
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to pay homage to
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to be a credit to
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to serve as host or hostess
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to perform a social act, such as carving meat, proposing a toast, etc
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slang:school an exclamation pledging honour
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under a moral obligation
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out of respect for
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on the pledge of one's word or good name
verb
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to hold in respect or esteem
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to show courteous behaviour towards
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to worship
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to confer a distinction upon
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to accept and then pay when due (a cheque, draft, etc)
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to keep (one's promise); fulfil (a previous agreement)
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to bow or curtsy to (one's dancing partner)
Honour
2
British
/ ˈɒnə /
noun
Spelling
See -or 1.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of honour
C12: from Old French onor, from Latin honor esteem
Explanation
Honour is the British English spelling of the word "honor." Honour means respect or prestige. If a teacher wants her students to treat her with honour, she has to be worthy of it, showing them the respect they deserve. An honour is also a tangible award that you are given for some accomplishment. If your grades are great, you might receive an honour at the academic awards banquet. As a verb, honour means to show a high amount of respect. In traditional wedding vows, both the bride and groom promise to love and honour each other.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Representing the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest brought Sam Battle one point, but the musician has said the result is a "badge of honour".
From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026
Xi was given a red-carpet welcome, with an honour guard of soldiers and traditional dancers in colourful dresses.
From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026
The college has called on the Plaid Cymru government to honour its manifesto commitment to develop a Children's Health Plan.
From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026
Those famous bells last rung out in honour of a Ferrari world champion in 2007, when Finn Kimi Raikkonen won his only title by a single point.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026
God saw the look that she turned on me as she spoke, and if there be indeed a Recording Angel that look is noted to her everlasting honour.
From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker
During the Napoleonic Wars, the Honour Oak marked the boundary beyond which French prisoners of war living in Tavistock on parole were not allowed to travel.
From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026
He briefly smiled at members of his defence team before quietly responding to the judge with "Good morning, Your Honour", and "Yes, Your Honour".
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
Every year, about 2,000 French people and 200 foreign nationals are awarded the Order of the Legion of Honour in recognition of "outstanding merits".
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
Acclaimed worldwide, Britain made him a Companion of Honour in 1997.
From Barron's ● Jun. 12, 2026
Then, “No matter. Little pitchers have big ears, as they say. Yes. The Honour Guard.”
From "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
