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.
Shoes emblazoned with a photo of Trump pumping his fists during the assassination attempt were priced at $399 and distributed to the first 5,000 buyers. Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 21 June 2025 Soon, the server grew from about six players to closer to two dozen, with trucks flying in and out of the main road into which player spawn, many of them emblazoned with pro-immigrant, anti-ICE slogans. Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025 Meanwhile, the crew — including one PA wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with photos of Baranski in the style of a metal band — coos over the dog on hand to play Ada’s beloved Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 June 2025 The singer-songwriter wore a guitar emblazoned with anti-ICE messaging onstage at the Boston Calling festival last month. August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 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 27 Jun. 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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