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:
Runners organised an event in city of Centurion to honour her and defend women's right to run freely.
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026
In Cape Town, people gathered in a vigil to honour the victims and called on the government to act.
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026
Stepping out onto the ballroom floor after a huge all-cast opening dance routine, Willis said presenting Strictly was a "genuine honour".
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 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
During the election campaign of 1705, she knighted both Newton, Halifax’s protégé, and Halifax’s brother, in the hope that the honour would encourage voters to support them.
From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin
Honour your joy, do not shy away from the good that is trying to reach you, do not convince yourself that you are unworthy of it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026
But, during his sentencing remarks, His Honour Judge Paul Farrer KC, said he did not accept Allen's judgement was impaired at the time and said he had abused a position of trust.
From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026
Announcing her departure on the social media platform X, external, Fleet said: "Honour of lifetime to be minister for safeguarding. Quickly found contents overwhelmingly triggering."
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
Acclaimed worldwide, Britain made him a Companion of Honour in 1997.
From Barron's ● Jun. 12, 2026
In a fine ladylike hand it said, Enoch Rucker Blakeslee married Love Honour Simpson in Jefferson, Georgia, July 5, 1906.
From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns
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.
