innocence

noun

in·​no·​cence ˈi-nə-sən(t)s How to pronounce innocence (audio)
1
a
: freedom from legal guilt of a particular crime or offense
b
: freedom from guilt or sin through being unacquainted with evil : blamelessness
c
: lack of knowledge : ignorance
… written in entire innocence of the Italian language.E. R. Bentley
d(1)
: freedom from guile or cunning : simplicity
(2)
: lack of worldly experience or sophistication
e
2
: one that is innocent
3
: bluet

Examples of innocence in a Sentence

He vows that he will prove his innocence in court. the trusting innocence of childhood The age of innocence was over.
Recent Examples on the Web Scott Peterson pleaded not guilty at trial and has maintained his innocence since he was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of his wife and second-degree murder for his near-term son. Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 Defense attorney Jason Luczak said his client maintained his innocence and urged Wagner to consider a sentence comparable to that handed down in Waukesha County. Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024 Subaru plays the boy’s part and Kanata plays the girl’s part in a song that sets the listener’s heart fluttering with lyrics like lines from a drama and nuances that evoke the innocence of a young couple. 8. Billboard Japan, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2024 Strauss-Gordon’s attorney, Daniel Kolodziej, also maintained his client’s innocence in an email to The Times. Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024 He’s maintained his innocence, however, and is planning to appeal his conviction once the sentencing is handed down. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 29 Feb. 2024 The state of Texas executed Ivan Abner Cantu, a 50-year-old Dallas native who maintained his innocence and garnered support from celebrities asking for his life to be spared, on Wednesday evening. María Luisa Paúl, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024 The whale displayed a friendly gaze resembling a human look of curiosity and innocence. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Perhaps his most important ally is Matt Duff, who uncovered much of the evidence now undergirding Cantu’s innocence claim and documented his independent review in a podcast. Ed Lavandera, CNN, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'innocence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of innocence was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near innocence

Cite this Entry

“Innocence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/innocence. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

innocence

noun
in·​no·​cence ˈin-ə-sən(t)s How to pronounce innocence (audio)
: the quality or state of being innocent

Legal Definition

innocence

noun
in·​no·​cence ˈi-nə-səns How to pronounce innocence (audio)
: freedom from fault or guilt under the law: as
a
: the state of not being guilty of a particular crime or offense compare guilt
b
: the state of not being guilty of an act that constitutes a ground for divorce
c
: ignorance on the part of a party to a transaction of facts that would lead a person of ordinary prudence to make inquiries

More from Merriam-Webster on innocence

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