honor system

noun

A system, policy or understanding based on trust in the honesty, honor, or integrity of others.

“Our local beekeeper leaves jars of honey for sale in his driveway. There's a coffee can for the money, and payment is on the honor system.”

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Meanings

nounhonor system (plural honor systems)

plural honor systems · alternative Canada UK honour system

  1. USalternative in CanadaA system, policy or understanding based on trust in the honesty, honor, or integrity of others.

    Our local beekeeper leaves jars of honey for sale in his driveway. There's a coffee can for the money, and payment is on the honor system.

    1 more example

    George Costanza: Alright, now, how are we gonna monitor this thing? Jerry Seinfeld: Well, obviously, we all know each other very well, I'm sure that we'll all feel comfortable within the confines of the honor system.

    1992 November 18, Larry David, directed by Tom Cherones, Seinfeld, season 4, episode 11, Jason Alexander and Jerry Seinfeld (actors)
Cite this entry
APA

honor system. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/honor%20system

MLA

“honor system.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/honor%20system. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “honor system,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/honor%20system.

Source: honor system on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.