emblem
Americannoun
-
emblems
plural
-
an object or its representation, symbolizing a quality, state, class of persons, etc.; symbol.
The olive branch is an emblem of peace.
-
a sign, design, or figure that identifies or represents something.
the emblem of a school.
-
an allegorical picture, often inscribed with a motto supplemental to the visual image with which it forms a single unit of meaning.
-
Obsolete. an inlaid or tessellated ornament.
verb (used with object)
noun
-
a visible object or representation that symbolizes a quality, type, group, etc, esp the concrete symbol of an abstract idea
the dove is an emblem of peace
-
an allegorical picture containing a moral lesson, often with an explanatory motto or verses, esp one printed in an emblem book
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of emblem
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin emblēma inlaid or mosaic work < Greek émblēma something put on, equivalent to em- em- 2 + blêma something thrown or put; compare embállein to throw in or on
Explanation
An emblem is a design that stands for a group or a concept. If you’re Scottish, your family may have an emblem such as a coat of arms that symbolizes your heritage. Many countries have national emblems, which often feature an animal or other elements that represent significant parts of the country’s history. A national emblem is often shown on flags or official documents such as passports. An emblem can also be an object that represents an idea. An expensive skyscraper could be an emblem of greed, for example, or the apple tree you planted in your backyard could be an emblem of hope.
Vocabulary lists containing emblem
Words from the 4th of July Songbook
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
On Your Mark, Get Set, Commence Your Life!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"The Devil and Tom Walker" by Washington Irving
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
A letter announcing the ban on smartphones for all government employees started circulating on social media last week under the emblem of the Supreme Court, which has not responded to AFP's requests to comment.
From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026
The protesters are using a pink flamingo as their emblem.
From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026
That buyback replaces a prior authorization from March 2019, some two years before the company became the emblem of the meme-stock movement.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 2, 2026
As one of Mattel’s longtime designers, Sweet is credited with developing He-Man, which became an emblem of childhood entertainment in the 1980s.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 19, 2026
Matty was dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt under a leather jacket, but anyone would’ve sworn he was wearing a bodysuit with an emblem on the chest and a cape fluttering behind.
From "Confessions of a Murder Suspect" by James Patterson
It features the floral emblems of the four nations of the UK, and after accepting Hartnell's eighth design for the dress, the Queen also requested the emblems of other states within the Commonwealth be included.
From BBC ● Dec. 26, 2025
He told me about this 1968 Dodge Charger R/T he had seen with emblems of the Cincinnati Bengals football team.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2025
Both are emblems of his childhood, he says, describing a time of “total love and sun and just uninhibited joy.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2025
And as football sent him crisscrossing the United States, his homeland’s hues and emblems have come along for the ride.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2025
The cohort’s emblems were propped carelessly against one wall.
From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan
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.
