Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

amnesty

Syllabification: (am·nes·ty)
Pronunciation: /ˈamnistē/
Translate amnesty | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of amnesty

noun (plural amnesties)

  • an official pardon for people who have been convicted of political offenses:an amnesty for political prisoners the new law granted amnesty to those who illegally left the country
  • an undertaking by the authorities to take no action against specified offenses or offenders during a fixed period:a month-long weapons amnesty

verb (amnesties, amnestying, amnestied)

[with object]
  • grant an official pardon to:the guerrillas would be amnestied and allowed to return to civilian life

Origin:

late 16th century: via Latin from Greek amnēstia 'forgetfulness'

amnesty in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of amnesty in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

  |  Cite

More words in this category

Oxford Dictionaries Pro

For Oxford's best resources for writers, plus thesaurus, audio, and 1.9m examples.

GET PRO ►

Shop for an Oxford dictionary
Find the perfect Oxford dictionary for you in our online shop.
SHOP NOW ►

Word of the day

cur

/ kəː /
noun
an aggressive or unkempt dog …