blue ribbon

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See synonyms for blue ribbon on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

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Question 1 of 7

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of blue ribbon

First recorded in 1645–55

Words nearby blue ribbon

blueprint, blueprinting, blue racer, blue-red, blue riband, blue ribbon, blue-ribbon jury, Blue Ridge, Blue Ridge Mountains, blue-ringed octopus, blue-rinse

Other definitions for blue ribbon (2 of 2)

blue-ribbon

[ bloo-rib-uhn ]

/ ˈbluˈrɪb ən /

adjective

of superior quality or prominence; first-rate; specially selected: a blue-ribbon committee of fund-raisers.

Origin of blue-ribbon

First recorded in 1925–30; adj. use of blue ribbon

How to use blue ribbon in a sentence

Clad in a blue, striped button-down, a silver watch adorning his left wrist, Huckabee beams on the cover.
Huckabee 2016: Bend Over and Take It Like a Prisoner!|Olivia Nuzzi|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Yeah, the “Giant man-puppy” that is Gronkowski won't hold a sexual candle to the blue-eyed dreamboat.
‘A Gronking to Remember’ Speed Read: 8 Naughtiest Bits|Emily Shire|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
GOP leaders refused; they saw that Duke was pulling blue-collar Democrats to the party.
The Louisiana Racists Who Courted Steve Scalise|Jason Berry|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It denotes the person that puts on the badge, puts on the blue uniform, and goes into the streets to put their life at risk.
Cop Families Boo De Blasio at NYPD Graduation|Michael Daly|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

They looked up into the blue sky as the helicopters flew over in a lost man formation.
Choking Back Tears, Thousands of Cops Honor Fallen Officer Ramos|Michael Daly|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In pursuing his alchemical researches, he discovered Prussian blue, and the animal oil which bears his name.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
Mary is fair as the morning dew— Cheeks of roses and ribbons of blue!
Boys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building, Volume I (of 17)|Various
His nose was hooked and rather large, his eyes were blue, bright as steel, and set a trifle wide.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
The most promising of the methods which have been devised are cryoscopy, the methylene-blue test, and the phloridzin test.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
He said no more in words, but his little blue eyes had an eloquence that left nothing to mere speech.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for blue ribbon

blue ribbon

noun

(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

blue ribbon

Origin of blue ribbon

Words nearby blue ribbon

Other definitions for blue ribbon (2 of 2)

Origin of blue-ribbon

Words related to blue ribbon

How to use blue ribbon in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for blue ribbon