emblazon

verb

em·​bla·​zon im-ˈblā-zᵊn How to pronounce emblazon (audio)
emblazoned; emblazoning im-ˈblā-zᵊn-iŋ How to pronounce emblazon (audio)
-ˈblāz-niŋ

transitive verb

1
a
: to inscribe or adorn with or as if with heraldic bearings or devices
b
: to inscribe (something, such as heraldic bearings) on a surface
2
: celebrate, extol
have his … deeds emblazoned by a poetThomas Nash
emblazoner
im-ˈblā-zᵊn-ər How to pronounce emblazon (audio)
-ˈblāz-nər
noun
emblazonment noun

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The History of Emblazon

Blazon is a less commonly used synonym of the more familiar coat of arms. Both centuries-old terms refer to heraldic designs, symbols, and other imagery (think crosses, lions, stripes, etc.) that typically appear on banners, shields, armor, and elsewhere. The verb form of blazon meaning “to represent armorial bearings in drawing or engraving” and emblazon, “to inscribe or adorn with or as if with heraldic bearings or devices,” came into use around the same time in the late 1500s. Emblazon still refers to marking something with an emblem of heraldry, but it is now more often used for adorning or publicizing something in any conspicuous way, whether with eye-catching decoration or colorful words of praise.

Examples of emblazon in a Sentence

colossal statues and other monumental constructions that were intended to emblazon his name for eons to come
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That’s right, in nearly half of U.S. states, those T-shirts emblazoned with candidates’ faces or campaign slogans could be considered electioneering, or an attempt to influence someone’s vote. Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 1 Nov. 2024 It was comprised of a silken gown emblazoned with an assortment of gemstones in silver. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 1 Nov. 2024 The singer shared photos of that meeting on social media, where he’s shown wearing a Spurs jersey emblazoned with his lucky number 74. Melissa Renteria, San Antonio Express-News, 21 Oct. 2024 The items included camping, hunting and traveling bags and backpacks emblazoned with fake versions of Crye’s camouflage pattern. Annie Palmer,katie Tarasov, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for emblazon 

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of emblazon was in 1589

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Dictionary Entries Near emblazon

Cite this Entry

“Emblazon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emblazon. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

emblazon

verb
em·​bla·​zon im-ˈblāz-ᵊn How to pronounce emblazon (audio)
1
: to inscribe or decorate with markings or emblems used in heraldry
2
: celebrate sense 3, extol
a name emblazoned in history

More from Merriam-Webster on emblazon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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