honor system

noun

: a system (as at a college) whereby persons are trusted to abide by the regulations (as for a code of conduct) without supervision or surveillance

Examples of honor system in a Sentence

Customers are on the honor system to pay for any software they choose to purchase.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The on-site farm store operates 24 hours a day on the honor system, offering whole chickens, wings, popular bone broth, bacon, sausage, beef, and lamb produced directly on the land. — La'tasha Givens, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 The world reacts to your actions through dynamic NPC encounters, wildlife, exploration, and an honor system that can shape how the story unfolds. — Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026 In practice, however, compliance hinged to a large degree on an honor system. — Andrew Ba Tran, Washington Post, 22 July 2026 Dawes also criticized the government’s reliance on an honor system in overseeing the project, saying relevant departments should bear responsibility. — ABC News, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for honor system

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of honor system was in 1893

Rhymes for honor system

See All Rhymes for honor system

Browse Nearby Words

honors of war
honor system
honor trick
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Honor system.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honor%20system. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

honor system

noun
: a system (as at a school) where persons are trusted to follow the rules without supervision
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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