The forgiveness of sins granted freely (Isaiah 43:25), readily (Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 86:5), abundantly (Isaiah 55:7; Romans 5:20). Pardon is an act of a sovereign, in pure sovereignty, granting simply a remission of the penalty due to sin, but securing neither honour nor reward to the pardoned. Justification (q.v.), on the other hand, is the act of a judge, and not of a sovereign, and includes pardon and, at the same time, a title to all the rewards and blessings promised in the covenant of life.

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (n.) The act of pardoning; forgiveness, as of an offender, or of an offense; release from penalty; remission of punishment; absolution.

2. (n.) An official warrant of remission of penalty.

3. (n.) The state of being forgiven.

4. (n.) A release, by a sovereign, or officer having jurisdiction, from the penalties of an offense, being distinguished from amnesty, which is a general obliteration and canceling of a particular line of past offenses.

5. (v. t.) To absolve from the consequences of a fault or the punishment of crime; to free from penalty; -- applied to the offender.

6. (v. t.) To remit the penalty of; to suffer to pass without punishment; to forgive; -- applied to offenses.

7. (v. t.) To refrain from exacting as a penalty.

8. (v. t.) To give leave (of departure) to.