pardon
n. countablen. an official decision to forgive someone for a crime and stop their punishment. It is usually given by a high-ranking leader like a president.
n. an official warrant or executive action that releases a person from the legal consequences of a conviction. Often granted by a head of state as an act of clemency.
The president granted a pardon to the prisoner.
After serving ten years of his sentence, the man received a full pardon when new evidence proved his innocence.
The outgoing governor issued a series of controversial pardons during his final week in office, sparking a heated debate about the limits of executive power.
From Middle English pardonen, from Old French pardoner (modern French pardonner), from Late Latin perdonare, from per- + donare, possibly a calque (if not vice-versa) of a Germanic word represented by Frankish firgeban (“to forgive, give up completely”), from fir- + *geban. Akin to Old High German fargeban, firgeban (“to forgive”), Old English forġiefan (“to forgive”). More at forgive.
Often used with the verb 'grant' or 'issue'.
The judge gave him a pardon.The president granted him a pardon.In a legal context, judges issue sentences or acquittals; pardons are executive acts granted by political leaders.