First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1pardon
noun par·don \ˈpär-dən\
: an act of officially saying that someone who was judged to be guilty of a crime will be allowed to go free and will not be punished
: forgiveness for something
Full Definition of PARDON
1
: indulgence 1
2
: the excusing of an offense without exacting a penalty
3
a : a release from the legal penalties of an offense b : an official warrant of remission of penalty
4
: excuse or forgiveness for a fault, offense, or discourtesy <I beg your pardon>
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Origin of PARDON
Middle English, from Anglo-French pardun, pardoun, from parduner
Related to PARDON
- Synonyms
- absolution, amnesty, forgiveness, remission, remittal
- Antonyms
- penalty, punishment, retribution
2pardon
verb
: to officially say that someone who is guilty of a crime will be allowed to go free and will not be punished
: to say that someone should not be blamed for thinking, doing, or saying something
: to officially say that a person, country, etc., does not have to pay (a debt)
par·donedpar·don·ing \ˈpärd-niŋ, ˈpär-dən-iŋ\
Full Definition of PARDON
transitive verb
1
a : to absolve from the consequences of a fault or crime b : to allow (an offense) to pass without punishment : forgive c : to relieve of a penalty improperly assessed
2
: tolerate
See pardon defined for English-language learners
Origin of PARDON
Synonym Discussion of PARDON
excuse, condone, pardon, forgive mean to exact neither punishment nor redress. excuse may refer to specific acts especially in social or conventional situations or the person responsible for these <excuse an interruption> <excused them for interrupting>. Often the term implies extenuating circumstances <injustice excuses strong responses>. condone implies that one overlooks without censure behavior (as dishonesty or violence) that involves a serious breach of a moral, ethical, or legal code, and the term may refer to the behavior or to the agent responsible for it <a society that condones alcohol but not narcotics>. pardon implies that one remits a penalty due for an admitted or established offense <pardon a criminal>. forgive implies that one gives up all claim to requital and to resentment or vengeful feelings <could not forgive their rudeness>.
Other Legal Terms
Rhymes with PARDON
PARDON Defined for Kids
1pardon
noun par·don \ˈpär-dən\
Definition of PARDON for Kids
1
: forgiveness for wrong or rude behavior
2
: the act of freeing from legal punishment
2pardon
verb
par·donedpar·don·ing
Definition of PARDON for Kids
1
: to free from penalty for a fault or crime <The prisoner was eventually pardoned.>
2
: to allow (a wrong act) to pass without punishment : forgive
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