honored

1. 1
   respectedadjective

   Held in respect and having received honor from others.

   The retired teacher was an honored figure in town, invited to lead every parade.

   As one of the most honored scientists of her generation, she gave the opening speech at the conference.

   Similarrespected, esteemed, revered, celebrated

   Oppositedishonored, disgraced

   Note

   The adjective often turns up inside the compound time-honored, said of a custom that long use has made respectable: Lesley Brown's translation of Plato's Sophist speaks of "the time-honoured method of our forefathers." The compound is hyphenated before a noun. On its own, honored compares with more and most, as in one of the most honored names in town, and British spelling writes honoured.

2. 2
   past formverb

   Simple past and past participle of honor.

   The committee honored three teachers for decades of service.

   The warranty was honored without question once the receipt turned up.

   Note

   One spelling covers both the simple past and the participle: the committee honored them, they have been honored, they were honored. The verb behind it reaches well past respect. A treaty or promise is honored when it is kept, and a bank honors a check by paying it. The spelling split is the same as for the adjective, with British writers using honoured.

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