Definitions for respect
rɪˈspɛktre·spect

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

1. respect, regardnoun

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

   "it differs in that respect"

2. esteem, regard, respectnoun

   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, regardnoun

   an attitude of admiration or esteem

   "she lost all respect for him"

4. deference, respectnoun

   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, respectnoun

   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, respectnoun

   a feeling of friendship and esteem

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

7. deference, respect, respectfulnessverb

   courteous regard for people's feelings

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

8. respect, esteem, value, prize, priseverb

   regard highly; think much of

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

9. respect, honor, honour, abide by, observeverb

   show respect towards

   "honor your parents!"

Wiktionary(3.50 / 6 votes)Rate this definition:

1. respectnoun

   an attitude of consideration or high regard

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

2. respectnoun

   good opinion, honor, or admiration

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

3. respectnoun

   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. respectnoun

   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. respectverb

   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. respectverb

   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. respectverb

   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. respectverb

   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. respectinterjection

   hello, hi

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

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

1. Respectverb

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

2. Respectverb

   to consider worthy of esteem; to regard with honor

3. Respectverb

   to look toward; to front upon or toward

4. Respectverb

   to regard; to consider; to deem

5. Respectverb

   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  

Matched Categories

1. • Detail
   • Filial Duty
   • Politeness

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. Marcus Aurelius:

   Never value anything as profitable that compels you to break your promise, to lose your self-respect, to hate any man, to suspect, to curse, to act the hypocrite, to desire anything that needs walls and curtains.

2. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson:

   I have reached the conclusion that we must make substantial changes in our detention practices with respect to families with children, in short, once a family has established eligibility for asylum or other relief under our laws, long-term detention is an inefficient use of our resources and should be discontinued.

3. Hugo Chavez:

   Heres what you need to know aboutMaduro The late Hugo Chavez wasMaduros mentor and predecessor. Maduro was hand-picked by Hugo Chavez to take over the government. He successfully won his first election, defeatingHenrique Capriles albeit narrowly after Chavezs death from cancer in March 2013. In the 1990s, Maduroturned to theRevolutionary Bolivarian Movement-200( MBR-200), a social movement led by Hugo Chavez. During his time with the group, Maduro pushed for the release of Hugo Chavez who was jailed for attempting a coup. Clearly, Maduro earned respect for his dedication : Hugo Chavez later named himforeign minister. [ Maduro is ] a complete revolutionary, a man of great experience despite his youth, with great dedication and capacity for work, for leading, for handling the most difficult situations.

4. Theresa May:

   (European Commission) President (Jean-Claude) Juncker followed Prime Minister May's announcement this morning without personal joy, the President very much liked and appreciated working with Prime Minister May. He will equally respect and establish working relations with any new prime minister, whomever it may be. Our position on the withdrawal agreement — there is no change to that.

5. Allan Small:

   In my opinion, our banks still represent fairly good value with respect to the yields they provide, there is value there if you're a growth and income investor.

Images & Illustrations of respect

Popularity rank by frequency of use