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 Nash

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

• bless
• carol
• celebrate
• exalt
• extol
• extoll
• glorify
• hymn
• laud
• magnify
• praise
• resound

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

The 31-year-old also had a custom bat with the Phillies mascot, the Philly Phanatic, dressed as a member of the King’s Guard emblazoned across it. —Thomas Schlachter, CNN, 11 June 2024

Wearing a blue suit and socks emblazoned with the Bitcoin logo, Mr. Salame stood facing Judge Lewis A. Kaplan as the sentence was read aloud in U.S. District Court in Manhattan. —David Yaffe-Bellany, New York Times, 28 May 2024

Crockett’s social media indicates that will include t-shirts emblazoned with her description of Greene. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 22 May 2024

Bieber launched the clothing brand, which is a nod to his middle name, in January 2019 with an array of T-shirts, sweatshirts and shorts, along with a collection of beige corduroy pieces, emblazoned with the drew house logo and a smiley face. —Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 2 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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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