pardon

9 definitions • 9 examples

to forgive someone for something they have said or done. This word is often used in polite expressions:

Pardon my ignorance, but what exactly is ergonomics?

[ + -ing verb ] Pardon me interrupting, but there's a client to see you.

If someone who has committed a crime is pardoned, that person is officially forgiven and their punishment is stopped:

Large numbers of political prisoners have been pardoned and released by the new president.

an occasion when someone who has committed a crime is officially forgiven:

He had actively sought a pardon from the president.

used to politely ask someone to repeat something they have said because you did not hear it

used to show that someone has said something that offends you:

"Women tend to be fairly useless drivers, anyway." "I beg your pardon!"

to forgive someone for something:

Satellite radio is about to – pardon the expression (= forgive me for using this phrase) – go into orbit.

If someone who has committed a crime is pardoned, the person is officially forgiven and punishment is stopped:

He was convicted of murder, but was later pardoned by the governor.

said when you have not heard what someone has said to you and you want the person to repeat it:

"The train leaves at 2:15." "Pardon?"

forgiveness:

He had actively sought a pardon (= official forgiveness) from the president.