Noun

1. Forgiveness for an offence.
   • 1748: Samuel Richardson, Clarissa

     a step, that could not be taken with the least hope of ever obtaining pardon from or reconciliation with any of my friends;

2. An order that releases a convicted criminal without further punishment, prevents future punishment, or (in some jurisdictions) removes an offence from a person's criminal record, as if it had never been committed.
   • 1974: President Gerald Ford, Proclamation 4311

     I... have granted and by these presents do grant a full, free, and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon for all offenses against the United States ...

Verb

1. To forgive.
   • 1599: William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar

     O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, / That I am meek and gentle with these butchers!

   • 1815: Jane Austen, Emma

     I hope you will not find he has outstepped the truth more than may be pardoned, in consideration of the motive.

2. To grant an official pardon for a crime.

Interjection

1. Pardon?, What did you say?, Can you say that again?