If a service such as an arrangement for buying something is based on an honor system, people are trusted to use the service honestly and without cheating or lying.
[US]
Until now, those guns have been sold primarily on an honor system, wherein the purchasersensure the sellers they are legally entitled to buy firearms.
honor system in British English
(ˈɒnə ˈsɪstəm)
noun
the honor system
honor system in American English
US
in some schools, prisons, etc., a system whereby individuals are trusted to obey the rules, do their work, take tests, etc. without direct supervision
Examples of 'honor system' in a sentence
honor system
The inmates are trusted to obey the house rules, to go and return on some sort of honor system.