pur·ple·heart
ˈpər-pəl-ˌhärt 
: a strong durable purplish wood that is obtained from various leguminous trees (genus Peltogyne) of Central and South America
also
: a tree producing such wood
: a U.S. military decoration awarded to any member of the armed forces wounded or killed in action
Examples of purpleheart in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jace Bauserman, Outdoor Life, 4 Mar. 2020
Neil Sperry Mixed perennials were chosen for seasons of color (purpleheart, yarrow, cannas and others).
—Neil Sperry, star-telegram, 1 May 2017
Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2024
After her death, White was posthumously awarded a long list of some of the military's highest distinctions, including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Meritorious Service Medal.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 27 May 2024
The initiative, dubbed Operation Purple Heart, was launched in November 2021.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2024
Army records indicate only two of the 31 received Purple Heart medals, which are awarded to service members wounded or killed during action against an enemy.
—CBS News, 11 May 2024
The troops, which included members of an elite army unit specializing in explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), had decorated Boomer posthumously with a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
—IEEE Spectrum, 27 Apr. 2024
The Purple Heart recipient had witnessed the liberation of two concentration camps and survived the Battle of the Bulge before he was shot dead, CBS reported.
—Christina Coulter, Fox News, 20 Apr. 2024
For his service, Sampson has received the Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal.
—Alexandra Hardle, The Arizona Republic, 6 Apr. 2024
As a result of that incident, the Purple Heart recipient lost both legs below the knees.
—Jeff Fedotin, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
Noun
Some of my favorite get-loud strikers include purpleheart, hickory, and birch.
—Jace Bauserman, Outdoor Life, 4 Mar. 2020
Neil Sperry Mixed perennials were chosen for seasons of color (purpleheart, yarrow, cannas and others).
—Neil Sperry, star-telegram, 1 May 2017
Noun
The 2012 silver Chevy Malibu — donned with Purple Heart license plates and a Korean War sticker — was pulled from the river, police said.
—Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2024
After her death, White was posthumously awarded a long list of some of the military's highest distinctions, including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Meritorious Service Medal.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 27 May 2024
The initiative, dubbed Operation Purple Heart, was launched in November 2021.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2024
Army records indicate only two of the 31 received Purple Heart medals, which are awarded to service members wounded or killed during action against an enemy.
—CBS News, 11 May 2024
The troops, which included members of an elite army unit specializing in explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), had decorated Boomer posthumously with a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
—IEEE Spectrum, 27 Apr. 2024
The Purple Heart recipient had witnessed the liberation of two concentration camps and survived the Battle of the Bulge before he was shot dead, CBS reported.
—Christina Coulter, Fox News, 20 Apr. 2024
For his service, Sampson has received the Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal.
—Alexandra Hardle, The Arizona Republic, 6 Apr. 2024
As a result of that incident, the Purple Heart recipient lost both legs below the knees.
—Jeff Fedotin, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'purpleheart.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Purpleheart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purpleheart. Accessed 3 Jun. 2024.
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