coat of arms
Americannoun
-
the main part of an identifying design in heraldry that is usually depicted on a drawing of a shield.
The Prince of Wales' coat of arms is a dragon.
-
an identifying design in heraldry that is used by a person or by family groups and that usually includes a drawing of a shield bearing other important identifying designs, and any mottos, banners, crests, etc., that surround that drawing.
Her family was given a coat of arms when she married into the royal family.
-
a surcoat or tabard embroidered with an identifying design used in heraldry, worn by medieval knights over their armor.
noun
-
the heraldic bearings of a person, family, or corporation
-
a surcoat decorated with family or personal bearings
Etymology
Origin of coat of arms
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English; parallel to French cotte d'armes
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.
When cabinet ministers were appointed in May's first reshuffle, it was heralded in press statements beneath the UK government coat of arms.
From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026
Other posts falsely claimed to show an official government announcement of the June 30 "deadline" using AI-generated notices bearing the national coat of arms.
From Barron's ● Jun. 19, 2026
Their impeccable hearing and quick thinking were rewarded by the Austrian emperor, who bestowed the pretzel bakers with their own coat of arms featuring two lions holding a massive pretzel.
From Salon ● Apr. 28, 2026
King Charles's coat of arms will feature on the front of all new passports from December, the Home Office has said.
From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2025
A third grader drew a coat of arms for her with two dead rats beneath her feet.
From "The Wednesday Wars" by Gary D. Schmidt
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.
