chevalier

noun

che·va·lier | \ ˌshe-və-ˈlir

How to pronounce chevalier (audio)

, especially for senses 1b and 2 also shə-ˈval-ˌyā

How to pronounce chevalier (audio)

\

Definition of chevalier

1a : cavalier sense 2

b : a member of any of various orders of knighthood or of merit (such as the Legion of Honor)

2a : a member of the lowest rank of French nobility

b : a cadet of the French nobility

3 : a chivalrous man

Examples of chevalier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The French Ministry of Culture anointed him a knight, or chevalier, of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 1985. — Keith Spera, NOLA.com, "New Orleans avant-jazz saxophonist Kidd Jordan improvises his way to $50K fellowship," 3 Feb. 2021 He was promoted to commander of the French Legion of Honor, the third of five degrees of distinction, in 2008 after being named chevalier in 1993 and officer in 2002. — Théophile Larcher, BostonGlobe.com, "Marc Fumaroli, defender of French culture," 5 July 2020 The day after the Élysée meeting, Diane von Furstenberg was made a chevalier of France’s Legion D’Honneur, recognizing her contributions to culture and philanthropy. — Ben Widdicombe, Town & Country, "Jeff Bezos Took Lauren Sanchez to Meet French President Emmanuel Macron," 2 Mar. 2020 Clark is beloved in France, having received the Grand Prix de Literature Policière in 1980, as well as being named a chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters in 2000 by the French minister of culture. — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, "Legendary suspense novelist Mary Higgins Clark dies at 92," 1 Feb. 2020 Last year, in a ceremony in New York, she was named a chevalier in the French order of arts and letters. — Jennifer Schuessler, New York Times, "Susannah Hunnewell, Publisher of The Paris Review, Dies at 52," 15 June 2019 All three were named chevaliers of the Legion of Honor. — Contributing Writer, NOLA.com, "He's the field general for the Greatest Generation in New Orleans," 11 Apr. 2018 For these, he was awarded the Croix de Guerre, made a chevalier of the Legion of Honor and promoted as a war hero in a political career that lofted him to prominence as a cabinet minister in several governments. — Robert D. Mcfadden, New York Times, "Liliane Bettencourt, L’Oréal Heiress Vexed by Swindling Case, Is Dead at 94," 21 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chevalier.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about chevalier

Dictionary Entries near chevalier

Statistics for chevalier

Last Updated

11 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Chevalier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chevalier. Accessed 5 Mar. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster

Comments on chevalier

What made you want to look up chevalier? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

WORD OF THE DAY

abhor

Listen to the pronunciation of abhor

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Who Knew?

What is a ruelle?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ

Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ