honour

[ on-er ]

/ ˈɒn ər /

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noun, verb (used with object), adjective Chiefly British.

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usage note for honour

See -or¹.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use honour in a sentence

To follow these would be delightful and honouring; but would be to follow what is merely a copy, and only finite.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
But Alexander was only a religious eclectic, honouring what he thought best in the current systems of belief.
The Catacombs of Rome|William Henry Withrow
The name was enough; they could not dine elsewhere, and Ambrose felt that he was honouring the memory of the great Rabelais.
The Secret Glory|Arthur Machen
But her (Auge) he received and brought up well, and cherished in the palace, honouring her even as his own daughters.
Hesiod, The Homeric Hymns, and Homerica|Homer and Hesiod

Not so much honouring thee,As giving it a hope that thereIt could not wither'd be.
Adventures in Criticism|Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch

British Dictionary definitions for honour (1 of 2)

honour

US honor

/ (ˈɒnə) /

noun

personal integrity; allegiance to moral principles

fame or glory
a person or thing that wins this for anotherhe is an honour to the school

(often plural) great respect, regard, esteem, etc, or an outward sign of this

(often plural) high or noble rank

a privilege or pleasureit is an honour to serve you

a woman's virtue or chastity

bridge poker any of the top five cards in a suit or any of the four aces at no trumps
whist any of the top four cards

golf the right to tee off first

do honour to

to pay homage to
to be a credit to

do the honours

to serve as host or hostess
to perform a social act, such as carving meat, proposing a toast, etc

honour bright British school slang an exclamation pledging honour

in honour bound under a moral obligation

in honour of out of respect for

on one's honour or upon one's honour on the pledge of one's word or good name

verb (tr)

to hold in respect or esteem

to show courteous behaviour towards

to worship

to confer a distinction upon

to accept and then pay when due (a cheque, draft, etc)

to keep (one's promise); fulfil (a previous agreement)

to bow or curtsy to (one's dancing partner)

Derived forms of honour

honourer or US honorer, nounhonourless or US honorless, adjective

Word Origin for honour

C12: from Old French onor, from Latin honor esteem

British Dictionary definitions for honour (2 of 2)

Honour

/ (ˈɒnə) /

noun

(preceded by Your, His, or Her)

a title used to or of certain judges
(in Ireland) a form of address in general use

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

honour

usage note for honour

Words related to honour

How to use honour in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for honour (1 of 2)

US honor

Derived forms of honour

Word Origin for honour

British Dictionary definitions for honour (2 of 2)