blue ribbon
the highest award or distinction, as the first prize in a contest: His entry at the state fair won a blue ribbon.
a blue ribbon worn as a badge of honor, especially by members of the Order of the Garter of the British knighthood.
(initial capital letters)Also British, Blue Ribband. (formerly) a prize awarded to an ocean liner making the fastest recorded trip across the Atlantic Ocean between Ambrose Lightship and Bishop Rock.
a badge used by some temperance organizations to indicate a pledge of abstinence from alcohol.
Origin of blue ribbon
1Words Nearby blue ribbon
Other definitions for blue-ribbon (2 of 2)
of superior quality or prominence; first-rate; specially selected: a blue-ribbon committee of fund-raisers.
Origin of blue-ribbon
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use blue ribbon in a sentence
As a cook, after college, I drank Pabst blue ribbon along with the rest of the team.
Establishing a blue-ribbon commission in the midst of scandal is a time-honored Washington tradition.
Obama’s Panel on Domestic Spying Abuses Didn’t Pull Its Punches | Daniel Klaidman | December 20, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThe family-owned company that revived Pabst blue ribbon has been given the go-ahead to purchase Hostess out of bankruptcy.
Twinkies Are Coming Back: The Metropoulos Brothers on the Brand | Daniel Gross | April 8, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTPassing the buck to a blue ribbon commission like Erskine-Bowles was tried and has failed.
Washington Should Use CEOs as Mediators to Resolve Debt Debate | Tom Rogers | February 12, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTNo one can do it for them—not pollsters, not blue-ribbon commissions, not even elections.
With the Fiscal Cliff Looming, It’s Time to Take Politics Off the Table | Mark McKinnon, William A. Galston | December 4, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Everybody wears blue ribbon here, but I don't, because I don't want to get tipsy anyhow.
St. Nicholas, Vol. 5, No. 5, March, 1878 | VariousMy blue ribbon had long ago worn out, and with it my strict views on Temperance.
In the Wrong Paradise | Andrew LangMrs. Avory patted the small head, and smoothed out the blue ribbon that tied up the tuft of black curls.
The Devourers | Annie Vivanti ChartresIt was a single silky curl, of a beautiful reddish gold, tied daintily with blue ribbon.
The White Shield | Myrtle ReedWith Charlies toy drum strung round his neck on a narrow blue ribbon, he was distinctly mirth-inspiring.
Marjorie Dean College Freshman | Pauline Lester
British Dictionary definitions for blue ribbon
(in Britain) a badge of blue silk worn by members of the Order of the Garter
a badge awarded as the first prize in a competition
US a badge worn by a member of a temperance society
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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