emblazon

verb

em·​bla·​zon im-ˈblā-zᵊn 

emblazoned; emblazoning im-ˈblā-zᵊn-iŋ 

-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 poet

—Thomas Nash

emblazoner

im-ˈblā-zᵊn-ər 

-ˈblāz-nər

noun

emblazonment

im-ˈblā-zᵊn-mənt 

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.

Synonyms

• bless
• carol
• celebrate
• exalt
• extol
• extoll
• glorify
• hymn
• laud
• magnify
• praise
• resound

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

Advertisement Lebow recalled spotting someone recently who was wearing a sweater with the Kirkland brand logo emblazoned across the chest. —Marisa Gerber, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2024

In the Instagram Stories snap, Tatum walked outdoors wearing a black T-shirt that had ‘Kim Kardashian’ written across the chest in bold red letters — referring to his famous aunt — along with several photos of Kim from over the years, including her at the 2019 Met Gala, emblazoned across it. —Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 27 Apr. 2024

April 20, 2024 During the second weekend of Coachella, a semi-truck with a promotion for Cowboy Carter emblazoned across it pulled up to the festival grounds. —Moises Mendez Ii, TIME, 24 Apr. 2024

The sunken kitchen is emblazoned with deep red tile counters, while the fireplace is painted yellow. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2024

The car in the middle was left with a gaping hole in its roof, emblazoned with the group’s logo. —Michael Levenson, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024

Thunder, a muscular antelope clad in a GCU-purple jersey emblazoned with No. 49 — referring to the year Grand Canyon College was founded — has remained the school’s mascot ever since. —Madeline Nguyen, The Arizona Republic, 24 Mar. 2024

Contestants fought on a blue canvas devoid of sponsorships, a stark contrast to the Monster Energy, Modelo and DraftKings logos now emblazoned inside U.F.C. octagons. —Emmanuel Morgan, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2024

The action movie icon, who first fought Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1984’s classic The Terminator and then teamed up with him in two follow-up films, sits down for an interview with The Hollywood Reporter wearing a beanie emblazoned with two words: Resident Alien. —Josh Wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Kids Definition

emblazon

verb

em·​bla·​zon im-ˈblāz-ᵊn 

1

: to inscribe or decorate with markings or emblems used in heraldry

2

: celebrate sense 3, extol

a name emblazoned in history