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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
Currently, social media companies only permit people ages 13 and up to use their services and require no age verification beyond the honor system.
—Byalexandra Sternlicht, Fortune, 19 June 2024
At some stations, park employees take borrowers’ contact info, while others operate on the honor system.
—John Meyer, The Denver Post, 14 June 2024
The courts effectively operate on an honor system, relying on the good faith and accuracy of pleadings filed by lawyers, said Broward Chief Judge Jack Tuter.
—Ben Wieder and, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024
But while Meta is already taking measures to crack down on users who don’t follow its AI rules, YouTube is relying on the honor system — for now.
—Laura Bratton, Quartz, 18 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for honor system
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'honor system.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1893, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near honor system
Cite this Entry
“Honor system.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honor%20system. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Kids Definition
honor system
noun
: a system (as at a school) where persons are trusted to follow the rules without supervision
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