heraldry
Americannoun
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the science of armorial bearings.
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the art of blazoning armorial bearings, of settling the rights of persons to bear arms or to use certain bearings, of tracing and recording genealogies, of recording honors, and of deciding questions of precedence.
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the office or duty of a herald.
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a heraldic device, or a collection of such devices.
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a coat of arms; armorial bearings.
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heraldic symbolism.
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heraldic pomp or ceremony.
The coronation was marked by all the magnificence of heraldry.
noun
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the occupation or study concerned with the classification of armorial bearings, the allocation of rights to bear arms, the tracing of genealogies, etc
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the duties and pursuit of a herald
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armorial bearings, insignia, devices, etc
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heraldic symbols or symbolism
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the show and ceremony of heraldry
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of heraldry
Explanation
Heraldry is the study of designs on coats of arms — the official symbols or emblems of royal and noble families — which have appeared on flags and shields throughout history. Heraldry is the art of designing emblems that are meant to represent families, states, or organizations, as well as the study of the significance behind the designs, including family genealogies. The original function of heraldry was to distinguish troops from each other, making it clear who soldiers were fighting with and against. The ancient root of the word heraldry means "war."
Vocabulary lists containing heraldry
Six Crimson Cranes
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The Horse and His Boy
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"A Midsummer Night's Dream" by William Shakespeare, Act 3
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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.
The B-52s are heading to the UK in June, as part of their ever-extending farewell tour, and Pierson is using the trip as an excuse to indulge her fascination with British heraldry.
From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026
As the remaining spellers dwindled, Shradha was given “orle,” a heraldry term that means several small charges arranged to form a border within the edge of a field.
From Seattle Times • May 28, 2024
Their instantly recognizable horn-heavy heraldry inspires global goose bumps in an internationally understood language, and I’m as helpless against their peals and charms as I am against, say, Rave Horse.
From Washington Post • Aug. 2, 2021
She said that the abstract set and timeless costumes — including new heraldry for Arthur’s knights — “create a tension between the past and the future.”
From New York Times • Jul. 23, 2021
But the great hawks, the hounds, heraldry, tournaments—these were for Lancelot For her, unless she felt like a little spinning or embroidery, there was no occupation—except Lancelot.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
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.
