chevron

American  

[shev-ruhn, shev-ron] / ˈʃɛv rən, ˈʃɛvˌrɒn /

noun

1. a badge consisting of stripes meeting at an angle, worn on the sleeve by noncommissioned officers, police officers, etc., as an indication of rank, service, or the like.

2. an ornament in this form, as on a molding.

3. Also called chevron weave.  herringbone.

4. Heraldry. an ordinary in the form of an inverted V .

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chevron British  

/ ˈʃɛvrən /

noun

1. military a badge or insignia consisting of one or more V-shaped stripes to indicate a noncommissioned rank or length of service

2. heraldry an inverted V-shaped charge on a shield, one of the earliest ordinaries found in English arms

3. (usually plural) a pattern of horizontal black and white V-shapes on a road sign indicating a sharp bend

4. any V-shaped pattern or device

5. Also called: dancette.  an ornamental moulding having a zigzag pattern

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Other Word Forms

• chevroned adjective
• unchevroned adjective

Etymology

Origin of chevron

1300–50; Middle English cheveroun < Old French: rafter, chevron < Vulgar Latin *capriōn- (stem of *capriō ), derivative of Latin caper goat

Explanation

A chevron is a simple V-shaped design that may be upright, inverted, or on its side. Chevrons are part of some military and police uniforms or badges and often indicate rank. A chevron is a classic design element used in architecture, coats of arms, flags, and other insignia. This simple geometric shape appears on ancient pottery, petroglyphs, and textiles from ancient Greece and Rome. The chevron's clean, bold shape is a popular, eye-catching element of modern fashions as well, from suits to flooring and other home decor. More practically, chevrons on road signs can alert drivers to sharp and potentially dangerous curves ahead.

Example Sentences

Saint Laurent's models wore head-to-toe black leather, whilst Missoni's were clad in their signature chevron print designs, complete with statement necklaces.

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2025

“Russia just kind of disintegrated,” says Lockshin, 42, a lanky man with a trim chevron mustache and an unhurried but slightly wary air.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2024

The original Barbie doll didn’t even wear pink when it first debuted in 1959, wearing, instead, a black and white chevron bathing suit.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 7, 2023

The house has curved bay windows, tall windows, oak chevron floors and a slate roof.

From Washington Post • Feb. 3, 2023

Most peculiar of all, the bound knight’s shield carried the three thistles and the chevron, with a red canton.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White