heraldry

American  

[her-uhl-dree] / ˈhɛr əl dri /

noun

heraldries plural

1. the science of armorial bearings.

2. 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.

3. the office or duty of a herald.

4. a heraldic device, or a collection of such devices.

5. a coat of arms; armorial bearings.

6. heraldic symbolism.

7. heraldic pomp or ceremony.

   The coronation was marked by all the magnificence of heraldry.

---

heraldry British  

/ ˈhɛrəldrɪ /

noun

1. the occupation or study concerned with the classification of armorial bearings, the allocation of rights to bear arms, the tracing of genealogies, etc

2. the duties and pursuit of a herald

3. armorial bearings, insignia, devices, etc

4. heraldic symbols or symbolism

5. the show and ceremony of heraldry

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• heraldist
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• heraldries
  plural

Etymology

Origin of heraldry

1350–1400; Middle English. See herald, -ry

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."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

heraldry heraldries

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

On an adjacent wall are the flags of all 54 countries in Africa, their insignia and heraldry explained.

From New York Times ● Jun. 29, 2023

Interestingly, dragons of yore had to be dominated or defeated; their occasional use in heraldry and art was meant to impress and inspire awe.

From Salon ● Sep. 24, 2022

Childless lords sat in aged halls musing on heraldry; in secret chambers withered men compounded strong elixirs, or in high cold towers asked questions of the stars.

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien

Another arrives from Philadelphia, equally fortified in local heraldries unknown in Boston.

From Oldport Days by Higginson, Thomas Wentworth

The place had formerly been a German restaurant, with Teuton scrolls, "Ich Dien," and heraldries on its walls.

From There's Pippins and Cheese to Come by Brooks, Charles S. (Charles Stephen)

Above all, and out of his own private purse, he supported the heraldries of his dominions—the peerage, senatorial or prætorian, and the great gentry or chivalry of the Equites.

From The Caesars by De Quincey, Thomas

It has flaunted, emblazoned with the heraldries of France and England, in coronation ceremonies at Rheims and Westminster.

From A Problem in Modern Ethics being an inquiry into the phenomenon of sexual inversion, addressed especially to Medical Psychologists and Jurists by Symonds, John Addington

It ever seems to me that love Should level all degrees; Pure honour, and a stainless heart Are Nature's heraldries.

From The Modern Scottish Minstrel, Volume VI The Songs of Scotland of the Past Half Century by Rogers, Charles

Related Words

• logo
• symbol
• trademark