coat of arms
Americannoun
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the main part of an identifying design in heraldry that is usually depicted on a drawing of a shield.
The Prince of Wales' coat of arms is a dragon.
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an identifying design in heraldry that is used by a person or by family groups and that usually includes a drawing of a shield bearing other important identifying designs, and any mottos, banners, crests, etc., that surround that drawing.
Her family was given a coat of arms when she married into the royal family.
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a surcoat or tabard embroidered with an identifying design used in heraldry, worn by medieval knights over their armor.
noun
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the heraldic bearings of a person, family, or corporation
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a surcoat decorated with family or personal bearings
Etymology
Origin of coat of arms
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English; parallel to French cotte d'armes
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"That is why our flag features carpet motifs and our coat of arms depicts the Akhal-Teke."
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
Their impeccable hearing and quick thinking were rewarded by the Austrian emperor, who bestowed the pretzel bakers with their own coat of arms featuring two lions holding a massive pretzel.
From Salon • Apr. 28, 2026
The King's coat of arms features the rounded Tudor crown he chose as his royal cypher upon taking the throne in 2022.
From BBC • Oct. 10, 2025
The lake can be seen through a new manorial gate topped with a coat of arms designed for Schwarzman after his knighthood.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 2, 2025
But instead of her getting a coat of arms and being made into a warrior, people started to talk about her, and not just behind her back, but so that she could hear them.
From "The Wednesday Wars" by Gary D. Schmidt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
