Definitions for respect
rɪˈspɛktre·spect

Princeton's WordNet(3.42 / 12 votes)Rate this definition:

1. respect, regard(noun)

   (usually preceded by `in') a detail or point

   "it differs in that respect"

2. esteem, regard, respect(noun)

   the condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded)

   "it is held in esteem"; "a man who has earned high regard"

3. respect, esteem, regard(noun)

   an attitude of admiration or esteem

   "she lost all respect for him"

4. deference, respect(noun)

   a courteous expression (by word or deed) of esteem or regard

   "his deference to her wishes was very flattering"; "be sure to give my respects to the dean"

5. obedience, respect(noun)

   behavior intended to please your parents

   "their children were never very strong on obedience"; "he went to law school out of respect for his father's wishes"

6. regard, respect(noun)

   a feeling of friendship and esteem

   "she mistook his manly regard for love"; "he inspires respect"

7. deference, respect, respectfulness(verb)

   courteous regard for people's feelings

   "in deference to your wishes"; "out of respect for his privacy"

8. respect, esteem, value, prize, prise(verb)

   regard highly; think much of

   "I respect his judgement"; "We prize his creativity"

9. respect, honor, honour, abide by, observe(verb)

   show respect towards

   "honor your parents!"

Wiktionary(3.50 / 6 votes)Rate this definition:

1. respect(Noun)

   an attitude of consideration or high regard

   Etymology: From respectus, perfect passive participle of respicio, from re- + specio.

2. respect(Noun)

   good opinion, honor, or admiration

   Etymology: From respectus, perfect passive participle of respicio, from re- + specio.

3. respect(Noun)

   Polite greetings, often offered as condolences after a death.

   The mourners paid their last respects to the deceased poet.

   Etymology: From respectus, perfect passive participle of respicio, from re- + specio.

4. respect(Noun)

   a particular aspect of something

   This year's model is superior to last year's in several respects.

   Etymology: From respectus, perfect passive participle of respicio, from re- + specio.

5. respect(Verb)

   to have respect for.

   She is an intellectual giant, and I respect her greatly.

   Etymology: From respectus, perfect passive participle of respicio, from re- + specio.

6. respect(Verb)

   to have regard for something, to observe a custom, practice, rule or right

   I respect your right to hold this belief although I think it is nonsense.

   Etymology: From respectus, perfect passive participle of respicio, from re- + specio.

7. respect(Verb)

   to abide by an agreement.

   They failed to respect the treaty they had signed, and invaded.

   Etymology: From respectus, perfect passive participle of respicio, from re- + specio.

8. respect(Verb)

   To relate to; to be concerned with.

   Glandulation respects the secretory vessels, which are either glandules, follicles, or utricles. uE00084312uE001 J. Lee.

   Etymology: From respectus, perfect passive participle of respicio, from re- + specio.

9. respect(Interjection)

   hello, hi

   Etymology: From respectus, perfect passive participle of respicio, from re- + specio.

Webster Dictionary(3.67 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Respect(verb)

   to take notice of; to regard with special attention; to regard as worthy of special consideration; hence, to care for; to heed

2. Respect(verb)

   to consider worthy of esteem; to regard with honor

3. Respect(verb)

   to look toward; to front upon or toward

4. Respect(verb)

   to regard; to consider; to deem

5. Respect(verb)

   to have regard to; to have reference to; to relate to; as, the treaty particularly respects our commerce

6. Respect

   the act of noticing with attention; the giving particular consideration to; hence, care; caution

7. Respect

   esteem; regard; consideration; honor

8. Respect

   an expression of respect of deference; regards; as, to send one's respects to another

9. Respect

   reputation; repute

10. Respect

    relation; reference; regard

11. Respect

    particular; point regarded; point of view; as, in this respect; in any respect; in all respects

12. Respect

    consideration; motive; interest

Freebase(4.28 / 7 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Respect

   Respect is a positive feeling of esteem or deference for a person or other entity, and also specific actions and conduct representative of that esteem. Respect can be a specific feeling of regard for the actual qualities of the one respected. It can also be conduct in accord with a specific ethic of respect. Rude conduct is usually considered to indicate a lack of respect, disrespect, where as actions that honor somebody or something indicate respect. Specific ethics of respect are of fundamental importance to various cultures. Respect for tradition and legitimate authority is identified by Jonathan Haidt, a professor at the University of New York Sten School of Business, as one of five fundamental moral values shared to a greater or lesser degree by different societies and individuals. Respect is both given and received. We expect other people to respect us in return for the respect we show them. Respect is also something that is earned by the standards of the particular society in which one lives. Respect cannot be measured as a quantity, cannot be bought or traded, it is one of those things that is earned and built over time, but that can be lost with one stupid or inconsiderate act. One can ask or beg for respect, but only others can bestow us with respect as a result of their perceived treatment by us. Continued caring interactions are then required to maintain or increase that original earned respect. Respect cannot always be seen or observed by actions, but for those who practice chivalry, the outward display of respect is refreshing. Some women view this as patronizing and demeaning, but in its pure form chivalry is about nearly absolute respect.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(1.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Respect

   rē-spekt′, v.t. to esteem for merit: to honour: to relate to: to regard unduly: to heed.—n. act of esteeming highly: regard: expression of esteem: deportment arising from esteem: relation: reference: point of view, any particular: (B.) good-will, also undue regard: partiality: reflection: decency: reputation.—n. Respectabil′ity, state or quality of being respectable.—adj. Respec′table, worthy of respect or regard: moderate in excellence or number: not mean or despicable: reputable: moderately well-to-do.—n. Respec′tableness.—adv. Respec′tably, moderately: pretty well.—adj. Respec′tant (her.), facing one another—said of figures of animals.—n. Respec′ter.—adj. Respect′ful, full of respect: marked by civility.—adv. Respect′fully.—n. Respect′fulness.—prep. Respec′ting, regarding: considering.—n. Respec′tion, respect.—adj. Respec′tive, having respect or reference to: relative: relating to a particular person or thing: particular.—adv. Respec′tively.—ns. Respec′tiveness; Respec′tivist (obs.), a captious critic.—adjs. Respect′less, regardless; Respec′tūous (obs.), causing respect: respectful.—Have respect of persons, unduly to favour certain persons, as for their wealth, &c.; In respect of, in comparison with; With respect to, with regard to. [O. Fr.,—L. respicĕre, respectum—re-, back, specĕre, to look.]

Editors Contribution(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. respect

   To see the beauty, truth and worth of a soul, animal or human being.

   They demonstrated such respect for all, it was so clear the love went beyond human words at times.

   Submitted by MaryC on February 15, 2020  

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'respect' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #2143

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'respect' in Written Corpus Frequency: #2052

3. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'respect' in Nouns Frequency: #729

4. Verbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'respect' in Verbs Frequency: #748

Anagrams for respect »

1. scepter, sceptre, specter, spectre

How to pronounce respect?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say respect in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of respect in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of respect in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of respect in a Sentence

1. Chuck Grassley:

   The FBI does not make a credibility assessment of any information it receives with respect to a nominee. Nor is it tasked with investigating a matter simply because the Committee deems it important. The Constitution assigns the Senate, and only the Senate, with the task of advising the President on his nominee and consenting to the nomination if the circumstances merit. We have no power to commandeer an Executive Branch agency into conducting our due diligence. The job of assessing and investigating a nominee’s qualifications in order to decide whether to consent to the nomination is ours, and ours alone.

2. Armando Benedetti:

   The debate about his release has to center on the fact that in Colombia, we respect the rule of law, and we abide by the constitution, even in those cases where we are in disagreement with the consequences of some decisions.

3. Ernest Shaw:

   I have the utmost respect for her because she stood up for her beliefs. She sacrificed her career for her activism.

4. Donald Trump:

   We will, I think, come up with a solution. And if we don't, we leave the room with great respect.

5. Emmanuel Macron:

   Those whose job it is to apply the law should respect the law.

Images & Illustrations of respect

Popularity rank by frequency of use