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

Did you know?

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 For her latest ensemble, the America’s Next Top Model alum and actress wore a well-fit denim blazer with the Louis Vuitton Damier motif emblazoned throughout. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 16 Oct. 2024 True Value declares bankruptcy and sells itself to a hardware rival What’s buzzing ❄️ Snowed under: Bath and Body Works apologized for selling candles emblazoned with a winter theme that some people said looked like Ku Klux Klan hoods. Daniel Wine, CNN, 14 Oct. 2024 The Great Room is decorated with comfy couches and piles of memorabilia emblazoned with Texas icons like Willie Nelson and Miranda Lambert. Rona Berg, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024 Downstairs, in the fitness suite an F1 simulator cockpit, emblazoned with the badge of a heritage marque, says there’s a place for adrenaline too. Nielsen Dinwoodie, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for emblazon 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'emblazon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of emblazon was in 1589

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near emblazon

Cite this Entry

“Emblazon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emblazon. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!