noun
Common
parole
puh-ROH
Parole (noun) means the early, conditional release of a prisoner who agrees to follow certain rules and report to an officer. Example: “He was granted parole after serving two-thirds of his sentence.”
noun
1
The early, conditional release of a prisoner who agrees to follow certain rules and report to an officer.
"He was granted parole after serving two-thirds of his sentence."
"Breaking the terms of her parole would send her straight back to prison."
"The parole officer visited him every week to check that he was keeping to the rules."
verb
1
To release a prisoner early on the condition that they follow certain rules.
"The board voted to parole him after his good behaviour in prison."
"The committee decided to parole the woman after she had completed her training course."
"Prisoners who behave well may be paroled before their sentences end."
How to use parole
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing let out of prison early, on the condition you stay out of trouble and check in regularly.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
granted parole
on parole
parole board
violate parole
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- paroles
- Past tense
- paroled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He was granted _____ after serving two-thirds of his sentence.
Etymology
From Middle French parole, "word, formal promise" — the idea being that a prisoner gives their "word" to behave.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for parole
See all rhymes for parole →Frequently asked questions
What does “parole” mean?
The word “parole” means the early, conditional release of a prisoner who agrees to follow certain rules and report to an officer. In plain terms, being let out of prison early, on the condition you stay out of trouble and check in regularly.
How do you pronounce “parole”?
“Parole” is pronounced puh-ROH ([pʰəˈɹʷoʊɫ] in IPA).
How do you use “parole” in a sentence?
Here is “parole” used in a sentence: “He was granted parole after serving two-thirds of his sentence.”
What part of speech is “parole”?
Depending on how it is used, “parole” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “parole” come from?
The word “parole” comes from Middle French. From Middle French parole, "word, formal promise" — the idea being that a prisoner gives their "word" to behave.
Is “parole” a common word?
“Parole” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “parole” have?
“Parole” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the early, conditional release of a prisoner who agrees to follow certain rules and report to an officer.
What is the difference between parole and probation?
Parole is the early, conditional release of a prisoner who has already served part of a sentence, requiring them to follow rules and report to an officer. Probation, by contrast, is typically a sentence served in the community instead of prison, imposed at sentencing rather than as an early release from incarceration.
What happens if someone violates parole?
Violating the conditions attached to parole can result in the person being returned to prison to serve the remainder of their sentence. The exact consequences depend on the nature of the violation and the rules set by the parole authority.
Can parole be used as a verb?
Yes, parole can function as a verb meaning to release a prisoner early on the condition that they follow certain rules, as in "the board voted to parole him." This verb usage is common in legal and news contexts alongside the more frequent noun form.
