honoree

American  

[on-uh-ree] / ˌɒn əˈri /

noun

1. a person who receives an honor, award, or special recognition.

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Usage

What is an honoree? An honoree is a person who receives some type of honor or award, often during a special event. To be honored is to be held in high respect by others. If you are an honoree, you are receiving recognition for something you’ve done that’s seen as exceptional or outstanding. At a graduation party held to celebrate your graduation from school, you would be the honoree. At a dinner held to celebrate a businessperson who donated a large sum of money to a charity, the businessperson is the honoree.  At award shows like the Academy Awards, people who receive the awards are the honorees. Honorees are any group of people who are being celebrated for their accomplishments or behavior. Example: At this time, I ask that tonight’s honorees please stand up.

Etymology

Origin of honoree

honor + -ee

Example Sentences

Stier, director of children’s services and an “I Love My Librarian Award” honoree, launched the Activating Community Voices program, which joins stakeholders together to address issues including food insecurity, homelessness and early childhood development.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

Attendees took videos of him swaying beside the night’s honoree, a 15-year-old girl in a crown and glittering ivory ball gown celebrating her quinceañera.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

The latest honoree on a Topps baseball card wouldn’t pass the Yankees’ once-stringent facial hair rules.

From Slate • Aug. 29, 2025

Last year’s honoree was Mark Bradford, who chose to steer the grant money to the Arts for Healing and Justice Network, which brings arts programming to minors in the juvenile justice system.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 16, 2025

To the first honoree, he announces, “Well, here’s your book. Looks rather bilge to me from a glance at the title page, but, such as it is, here you are.”

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith