( BrE ) ( NAmE honor ) / ˈɒnə(r); NAmE ˈɑːnər/ noun , verb
■ noun
RESPECT
1.
[ U ] great respect and admiration for sb :
the guest of honour (= the most important one)
the seat / place of honour (= given to the most important guest)
They stood in silence as a mark of honour to her.
—see also maid of honour , matron of honour
PRIVILEGE
2.
[ sing. ] ( formal ) something that you are very pleased or proud to do because people are showing you great respect :
It was a great honour to be invited here today.
SYN privilege
MORAL BEHAVIOUR
3.
[ U ] the quality of knowing and doing what is morally right :
a man of honour
Proving his innocence has become a matter of honour.
REPUTATION
4.
[ U ] a good reputation; respect from other people :
upholding the honour of your country
The family honour is at stake.
—compare dishonour
SB / STH CAUSING RESPECT
5.
[ sing. ] honour to sth/sb a person or thing that causes others to respect and admire sth/sb :
She is an honour to the profession.
AWARD
6.
[ C ] an award, official title, etc. given to sb as a reward for sth that they have done :
the New Year's Honours list (= in Britain, a list of awards and titles given on January 1 each year)
to win the highest honour
He was buried with full military honours (= with a special military service as a sign of respect).
—see also roll of honour
AT UNIVERSITY / SCHOOL
7.
honours , honors [ pl. ] ( abbr. Hons ) (often used as an adjective) a university course that is of a higher level than a basic course (in the US also used to describe a class in school which is at a higher level than other classes) :
an honours degree / course
a First Class Honours degree
( NAmE )
I took an honors class in English.
8.
honours , honors [ pl. ] if you pass an exam or graduate from a university or school with honours , you receive a special mark / grade for having achieved a very high standard
JUDGE / MAYOR
9.
His / Her / Your Honour [ C ] a title of respect used when talking to or about a judge or a US mayor :
No more questions, Your Honour.
IN CARD GAMES
10.
[ C , usually pl. ] the cards that have the highest value
•
IDIOMS
- do sb an honour | do sb the honour (of doing sth)
- do the honours
- have the honour of sth / of doing sth
- (there is) honour among thieves
- (feel) honour bound to do sth
- the honours are even
- in honour of sb/sth | in sb's / sth's honour
- on your honour
—more at point noun
■ verb
[ vn ]
SHOW RESPECT
1.
honour sb (with sth) to do sth that shows great respect for sb/sth :
The President honoured us with a personal visit.
our honoured guests
( ironic )
I'm glad to see that you've decided to honour us with your presence !
GIVE AWARD
2.
honour sb/sth (with sth) (for sth) to give public praise, an award or a title to sb for sth they have done :
He has been honoured with a knighthood for his scientific work.
KEEP PROMISE
3.
to do what you have agreed or promised to do :
I have every intention of honouring our contract.
to honour a cheque (= to keep an agreement to pay it)
•
IDIOMS
- be / feel honoured (to do sth)
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French onor (noun), onorer (verb), from Latin honos , honor .