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 Nashe

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 of emblazon

• celebrate
• bless
• 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

His adolescent name-calling and desperate need to emblazon his name on multiple sites are cause for national embarrassment. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2026

Cover images of Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan and other superstars are emblazoned in the memories of fans who eagerly awaited the title to arrive in the mail each week. —Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026

At one point, Glover was close enough to make out not just docking targets, but also an American Flag emblazoned on the rocket stage. —Tariq Malik, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2026

In January, the rapper published an essay in the Wall Street Journal apologizing for his past anti-semitic behavior, such as praising Nazi dictator Adolph Hitler and even selling T-shirts emblazoned with swastikas. —Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for emblazon

• malmaison
• blazon
• brazen
• hazan
• zazen

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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