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 company also unveiled the flight’s official patch, which features the last names of each member of the crew emblazoned on the border as well as symbols that are meaningful to the women. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2025

Now, a Boise business is showing support by making T-shirts emblazoned with the sign. —Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 22 Mar. 2025

The Rauch name remains emblazoned on local college campuses, such as the Rauch Science and Fine Arts Building and the Jeanne Rauch Gallery at Gaston College and Marshall A. Rauch Distinguished Professor of Political Science at UNC Charlotte. —Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 21 Mar. 2025

The phrase and its acronym — especially when emblazoned on red baseball caps — have been popular among Donald Trump’s supporters since the president’s first term. —Brooke Sopelsa, NBC News, 20 Mar. 2025

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