blue ribbon

noun

1

: an honor or award gained for preeminence

2

: a blue ribbon awarded as an honor (as to the first-place winner in a competition)

Synonyms of blue ribbon

• award
• prize
• premium
• honor

Examples of blue ribbon in a Sentence

Our pumpkin won the blue ribbon at the county fair this year.

the Pritzker Prize is widely regarded as the ultimate blue ribbon for architectural achievement

Recent Examples on the Web

The Publix Key lime pie (in both its mini and regular sizes) has won plenty of blue ribbons from the National Pie Championships over the past 24 years the store has entered the competition. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 4 June 2026

The police department is asking residents and businesses along Route 422 and Perkiomen Avenue to turn lights blue, display blue ribbons and wear blue Monday. —Laura Fay, CBS News, 31 May 2026

This stunning chocolate-and-marshmallow Bundt cake, based on whoopie pie cookies, won a blue ribbon at the Minnesota State Fair. —Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 17 May 2026

In 2016, Detroit’s blue ribbon panel on water affordability recommended that DWSD revisit how cost is allocated across all users of the system. —Nicole Van Lier, The Conversation, 13 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for blue ribbon

• inhibin

Kids Definition

blue ribbon

noun

: a blue ribbon awarded the first-place winner in a competition

Legal Definition

blue-ribbon

adjective

blue-rib·​bon

: consisting of individuals selected for quality, reputation, or authority

a blue-ribbon committee