emblazon

verb

em·​bla·​zon im-ˈblā-zᵊn How to pronounce emblazon (audio)
emblazoned; emblazoning im-ˈblā-zᵊn-iŋ How to pronounce emblazon (audio)
-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 poetThomas Nash
emblazoner
im-ˈblā-zᵊn-ər How to pronounce emblazon (audio)
-ˈblāz-nər
noun
emblazonment 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.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lately Trump has taken to wearing a hat emblazoned with the motto: The Gulf of America. Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025 Key Facts Bieber made multiple posts on Instagram on Thursday morning depicting his new album emblazoned across billboards in multiple cities, including in New York’s Times Square. Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025 Crimson, luxurious, emblazoned every few metres with the governing body’s crest, a ginormous roaring dragon. Megan Feringa, New York Times, 8 July 2025 And that chute man was wearing a shirt with a Jackson Five decal emblazoned on the back. Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for emblazon

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of emblazon was in 1589

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Cite this Entry

“Emblazon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emblazon. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

emblazon

verb
em·​bla·​zon im-ˈblāz-ᵊn How to pronounce emblazon (audio)
1
: to inscribe or decorate with markings or emblems used in heraldry
2
: celebrate sense 3, extol
a name emblazoned in history

More from Merriam-Webster on emblazon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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