From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishamnestyam‧nes‧ty /ˈæmnəsti/ ●○○ noun (plural amnesties) [countable] 1 PPan official order by a government that allows a particular group of prisoners to go freeamnesty for The government granted an amnesty for all former terrorists.2 SCa period of time when you can admit to doing something illegal without being punishedamnesty on an amnesty on illegal handguns —amnesty verb [transitive]
Examples from the Corpus
amnesty• The government has been forced to declare an amnesty for anyone who has not paid their taxes, because there are now too many to collect.• Local authorities could be brought into that and such an amnesty would need Home Office funding and improved publicity.• At that time, an amnesty for the holders of illegal guns brought in 42,725 guns.• Lacking information, many immigrants mistakenly believed that the law was an amnesty.• Mzukwa served just four years of his sentence before being released during a general amnesty in 1991.• The President issued a general amnesty to all the rebels, including their leader.• A general amnesty was granted allowing political exiles to return freely.• But they were eventually freed and given amnesty.• Congress granted amnesty to nearly 3 million illegal immigrants in 1986.• Some officials, such as Mr Gavin, urge Washington to consider a one-time national amnesty.• But others say amnesties are unfair to honest taxpayers.• Congressmen hope that an income-tax amnesty would encourage more people to pay.granted an amnesty• We demanded that every student who took part in the protest be granted amnesty.Origin amnesty (1500-1600) Greek amnestia “forgetfulness”, from mnasthai “to remember” 