honour

Everyday

1. Great respect that people give to someone: «in honour of». tree →
2. Something that makes you proud and glad: «It is an honour to meet you». tree →
3. Being honest and keeping your word: «a person of honour». tree →
4. (verb) To show respect to someone, often with a prize or ceremony. tree →
5. (verb) To keep a promise or agreement: «honour a promise». tree →
6. "Your honour" is a polite way of speaking to a judge or other important person. tree →

In the lessons

In history and citizenship lessons people are honoured with medals, statues and days named after them. In stories and moral lessons honour means honesty and keeping promises: «on my honour», «word of honour». Phrases: «in honour of», «guest of honour», «it's an honour», «honour roll» (US list of good pupils).

Examples

• The statue was built in honour of the brave firefighters. tree →
• It is a great honour to meet the queen. tree →
• She was the guest of honour at the party. tree →
• A knight must always act with honour. tree →
• I promise on my honour that I did not cheat. tree →
• The town honoured the old teacher with a special award. tree →
• You should honour your promises. tree →
• Her name is on the school honour roll. tree →
• Bad enough, your honour; the magpie's dead! tree →

Note

Spelling: «honour» in the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand; «honor» in the USA. The «h» is silent, so we say «an honour», not «a honour». Related: «honourable», «honest» (also silent h).

In Jewish tradition

Honour means respect, glory or high standing. To honour someone is to treat them as weighty and important.

Interpretation. Honouring father and mother is one of the Ten Commandments. Tradition understands it as practical care, such as providing for parents and speaking to them respectfully.

Examples

• And he was honoured above all the house of his father. (Torah GEN.34.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• And thou shalt put of thy honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may hearken. (Torah NUM.27.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. (Torah EXO.20.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honour. (Writings EST.8.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• A gracious woman obtaineth honour; and strong men obtain riches. (Writings PRO.11.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• Riches and honour are with me; yea, enduring riches and righteousness. (Writings PRO.8.18, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Spelling: «honour» in the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand; «honor» in the USA. The «h» is silent, so we say «an honour», not «a honour». Related: «honourable», «honest» (also silent h).