Definition

1. Noun:

   • The formal act of liberating someone: An official act, typically by a head of state or governing authority, that releases a person from legal consequences of a crime or offense.
   • A warrant granting release from punishment for an offense: An official document that grants such a release.
   • The act of excusing a mistake or offense: A less formal act of forgiving someone for a minor fault or social error.

2. Verb:

   • To grant a pardon: To officially forgive someone and release them from punishment for a crime.
   • To accept an excuse for; to forgive: To overlook or forgive a mistake, fault, or social transgression.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The governor issued a full pardon for the wrongly convicted man.
  • He received a presidential pardon just before leaving office.
  • "I beg your pardon," she said after accidentally bumping into the stranger.

• Verb:

  • The President has the power to pardon federal criminals.
  • Pardon me for interrupting, but I have an urgent message.
  • Please pardon the mess; we're in the middle of renovations.

Advanced Usage

• "I beg your pardon": A formal phrase used to apologize for a minor offense, to express polite disagreement, or to ask someone to repeat what they said.

  • I beg your pardon, but I believe you have my seat.
  • I beg your pardon? Could you speak a little louder?

• "Pardon my French": An idiomatic expression used to apologize for using swear words or offensive language.

  • This is a load of—pardon my French—bull.
• To be granted a pardon: The formal process of receiving an official pardon.
  • After 20 years, he was finally granted a pardon by the review board.

Variants and Related Words

• Pardonable (adj): Capable of being forgiven or excused.
  • His nervousness was a pardonable offense for a first-time speaker.
• Pardoner (n): A person who pardons (archaic); historically, a person licensed to sell papal indulgences.
  • The pardoner in Chaucer's tale was a controversial figure.

Synonyms

• Noun: Forgiveness, absolution, amnesty, clemency, exoneration.
• Verb: Forgive, excuse, absolve, exonerate, acquit.

Related Phrases

• Pardon someone for something: To forgive someone for a specific action.
  • Can you ever pardon me for my thoughtless words?
• Pardon from something: An official release from a specific penalty.
  • He received a pardon from the death penalty.

Related Idioms

• A turkey pardon: A modern ceremonial tradition where a US president "pardons" a live turkey before Thanksgiving.
  • The annual turkey pardon is a lighthearted White House event.
• To pardon the expression: Similar to "pardon my French," used to apologize for a potentially crude or blunt phrase.
  • He's as stubborn as a mule, pardon the expression.

Noun

1. the formal act of liberating someone
2. a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense
3. the act of excusing a mistake or offense

Verb

1. grant a pardon to
   • Ford pardoned Nixon
   • The Thanksgiving turkey was pardoned by the President
2. accept an excuse for
   • Please excuse my dirty hands