ENGLISH
REFERENCE

parole

n. · v.
US //pɝˈoʊɫ// UK //pəɹˈəʊl// pa·role
  1. 1 conditional release from prison (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Law

    the release of a prisoner before their full sentence is over, as long as they follow certain rules.

    the conditional release of a convict before the expiration of a custodial sentence, subject to supervision and specific requirements of conduct.

    Example

    He was released on parole after serving five years of his ten-year sentence.

    Example

    The board granted him parole after considering his exemplary behaviour and the low risk of recidivism presented by his current psychological profile.

    Usage

    Usually used with the preposition 'on'.
    Pitfall
    He was released in parole.
    He was released on parole.

    In English, the standard preposition used with the state of being on parole is 'on'.

  2. 2 word of honour (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic Formal

    a promise or word of honour, especially one given by a prisoner of war not to fight again.

    a person's word of honour or solemn promise, historically used by prisoners of war to secure release by promising not to take up arms again.

    Example

    The captured officer gave his parole that he would not attempt to escape.

    Example

    In the eighteenth century, an officer's parole was considered a sacred bond that allowed him a degree of freedom even while in enemy territory.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is largely restricted to historical literature and period dramas; modern speakers almost exclusively use the legal sense.
  3. 3 language in use (n.)
    C1 Advanced Academic Technical Science

    the way people actually speak in real life, rather than the rules of a language system.

    the actual linguistic acts or speech of individuals, contrasted with 'langue' (the abstract system of language).

    Example

    The professor explained the difference between the rules of grammar and actual parole.

    Example

    Saussurean linguistics distinguishes between 'langue', the collective system of signs, and 'parole', the individual execution of those signs in speech.

    Usage

    Often used in contrast with the French term 'langue'.
    • langue
  4. 4 to release a prisoner (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Law

    to allow a prisoner to leave jail early under special rules.

    to release a convict from prison on the condition of good behaviour and regular reporting to an officer.

    Example

    The judge decided to parole the inmate because he had shown great progress.

    Example

    The state rarely chooses to parole offenders who have committed violent crimes without a lengthy period of rehabilitation.
Origin

Borrowed from Middle French parole (“word, formal promise”), from Old French parole, from Late Latin parabola (“speech”), from Ancient Greek παραβολή (parabolḗ). Doublet of parabola, parable, and palaver.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Related words

Last updated June 20, 2026