chevron

noun

chev·​ron ˈshev-rən 

: a figure, pattern, or object having the shape of a V or an inverted V: such as

a

: a heraldic charge consisting of two diagonal stripes meeting at an angle usually with the point up

b

: a sleeve badge that usually consists of one or more chevron-shaped stripes that indicates the wearer's rank and service (as in the armed forces)

Illustration of chevron

• 1 marine staff sergeant
• 2 air force staff sergeant
• 3 army staff sergeant

Did you know?

First appearing in English in the 14th century, chevron derives via Middle English and Anglo-French from the Vulgar Latin word caprio, meaning "rafter (probably due to its resemblance to two adjoining roof beams)." It is also related to the Latin noun caper, meaning "goat," again likely based on the resemblance of a V-shape to a goat’s horns. "Caper" is also an ancestor of "Capricorn," the tenth sign of the zodiac, represented by a goat. The resemblance of "chevron" to "chèvre," the French word for "goat" and our word for a kind of cheese that comes from goat’s milk, is no coincidence, as that word derives from "caper" as well.

Examples of chevron in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It is shaped like a fold-over collar outlined in rubies in a chevron pattern, and tapers into a closure inspired by the one on the 2.55 purse. —Lily Templeton, WWD, 17 June 2024

In addition to the traditional six-stripe rainbow design, the progress flag adds a chevron variant featuring black, brown, light blue, pink and white stripes in reference to the trans community, communities of color and individuals in the community living with or lost to the HIV/AIDS crisis. —Rachel Hale, Journal Sentinel, 31 May 2024

For this trip, the route continues straight ahead (not through the gate) following sporadic chevrons nailed to fence posts. —Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024

But chevrons and comets are both polyiamonds (unions of equilateral triangles) built on top of regular triangular tilings at different scales. —Craig S. Kaplan, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cheveron, from Anglo-French, rafter, chevron, from Vulgar Latin *caprion-, *caprio rafter; akin to Latin caper goat

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

chevron

noun

chev·​ron ˈshev-rən 

1

: a figure resembling a V or an upside-down V

2

: a sleeve badge indicating rank (as in the armed forces)