1par·don 
/ˈpɑɚdn̩/ verb
par·dons; par·doned; par·don·ing /ˈpɑɚdn̩/ verb [+ obj] 1 : to officially say that someone who is guilty of a crime will be allowed to go free and will not be punished
▪ pardon a criminal 2 : to say that someone should not be blamed for thinking, doing, or saying something — usually used as (be) pardoned for ▪ Voters can/should/could be pardoned for thinking this election would be different. 3 : to officially say that a person, country, etc., does not have to pay (a debt)
▪ The group wants the debt of the world's poorest countries to be pardoned. [=forgiven] 4 — used to be polite in asking questions or saying things that could be considered rude ▪ Pardon my ignorance, but what does “naiveté” mean? ▪ Pardon my asking, but is that your natural hair color? ▪ Pardon my saying so, but you look tired today. = You look tired today, if you'll pardon my saying so. ▪ Pardon me for asking, but how old are you?
▪ pardon a criminal
▪ The group wants the debt of the world's poorest countries to be pardoned. [=forgiven]
pardon me 1 — used as a polite way of starting to say something when you are interrupting someone, trying to get someone's attention, or disagreeing with someone ▪ Pardon me, but can I speak to you privately for a moment? ▪ Pardon me, (but) you dropped this envelope. ▪ Pardon me, but I believe you've made a mistake. 2 also pardon — used as a polite apology for a minor fault or offense (such as laughing, coughing, or bumping into someone) ▪ Oh, pardon me. I didn't see you standing there. ▪ Pardon—I didn't mean to bump you. 3 also pardon — used as a polite way of asking someone to repeat something spoken ▪ Pardon me? I didn't hear you. ▪ “Are you ready to go?” “Pardon?” “I asked if you were ready to go.”
pardon my French
informal + humorous — used to apologize for using offensive language ▪ Everything he said is bullshit. Pardon my French.
pardon the expression — see expression
