honour killing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal; journalistic, academic, sociological
Quick answer
What does “honour killing” mean?
The murder of a family member, typically a woman, by other family members who believe the victim has brought shame or dishonour upon the family.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The murder of a family member, typically a woman, by other family members who believe the victim has brought shame or dishonour upon the family.
A violent act rooted in patriarchal codes that equate a family's social standing with the perceived purity or obedience of its female members; often involves premeditation and collective family approval.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: UK 'honour killing', US often uses 'honor killing'. The concept is referred to identically, but the UK spelling is dominant in global academic and human rights discourse.
Connotations
Identically strong negative connotations in both variants. The term is used critically to describe a specific cultural practice, not to endorse it.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in relevant contexts (news, academia). The UK spelling is more prevalent internationally.
Grammar
How to Use “honour killing” in a Sentence
The family committed an honour killing.She was a victim of an honour killing.The community was rocked by an honour killing.Activists campaigned against honour killings.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “honour killing” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The practice of honour killing persists in some communities.
American English
- The report detailed several cases of honor killing.
adjective
British English
- Honour-killing cases are difficult to prosecute.
American English
- Honor-killing motivations were cited in the trial.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Frequent in sociology, anthropology, gender studies, and human rights literature. Used with precise definition and critical analysis.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Appears in news reports and serious discussions.
Technical
Used in legal, criminological, and human rights reporting as a specific category of crime.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “honour killing”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “honour killing”
- Misspelling as 'honor killing' in UK contexts.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'They honoured killed her' – incorrect).
- Using it to describe any murder within a family.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, honour killings are a socio-cultural phenomenon, not a religious one. They occur across various religious and ethnic communities where patriarchal codes linking family honour to female behaviour are strong.
Many writers and activists use quotes or 'so-called' to critically distance themselves from the perpetrators' rationale, rejecting the idea that murder can ever be honourable.
Yes, though far less frequently. Men can be targeted for reasons such as perceived homosexuality, choosing a partner outside the community, or converting from the family's religion.
Honour killings are murder under the law of all countries. However, in some jurisdictions, perpetrators have historically received lighter sentences if they claimed an 'honour' motive, a practice increasingly challenged by legal reforms.
The murder of a family member, typically a woman, by other family members who believe the victim has brought shame or dishonour upon the family.
Honour killing is usually formal; journalistic, academic, sociological in register.
Honour killing: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɒnə ˌkɪlɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɑːnɚ ˌkɪlɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Honour' in quotes, as the killing is supposedly to restore it, but it's a profound violation of human honour.
Conceptual Metaphor
HONOUR IS A CLEAN/UNCORRUPTED OBJECT (shame 'stains' it, killing 'cleanses' it). FAMILY IS A FORTRESS (its walls must be kept pure).
Practice
Quiz
What is a key distinguishing feature of an 'honour killing'?