respect

verb [T] (HONOUR)

/rɪˈspekt/

Definition

› to treat something or someone with kindness and care: to respect someone's feelings We should respect the environment and not pollute it.Treating someone well B2 to accept the importance of someone's rights or customs and to do nothing that would harm them or cause them offence: The agreement will respect the rights of both nations. I would appreciate it if you would respect my privacy.Accepting and agreeingAccepting and agreeing reluctantlyApproving and approval › to accept that something is right or important and not to attempt to change it or harm it: The president pledged to respect the existing frontiers between the two countries.Accepting and agreeingAccepting and agreeing reluctantlyApproving and approval › to think that it is important to obey a law or rule: I was always taught to respect the law.Accepting and agreeingAccepting and agreeing reluctantlyApproving and approval respect sb's wishes B2 to do what someone has asked to have done: His children respected his last wishes and held a simple funeral for him.Obeying and breaking the lawObedient and compliantDisobedientBad and wrong behaviour

(Definition of respect verb (HONOUR) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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