cockade

American  

[ko-keyd] / kɒˈkeɪd /

noun

1. a rosette, knot of ribbon, etc., usually worn on the hat as part of a uniform, as a badge of office, or the like.

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cockade British  

/ kɒˈkeɪd /

noun

1. a feather or ribbon worn on military headwear

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• cockaded
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of cockade

First recorded in 1650–60; cockade (also cockard ), from French cocarde “a knot of ribbons, cockade” (from its resemblance to a cock's crest), from Middle French cocquard “boastful, silly, cocky” (like the boastful behavior of a rooster), from coc “rooster, cock”; see cock ¹ + -arde -ard

Example Sentences

Made by Poupard, Napoleon's official hatmaker, the headpiece displays all the hallmark features of an authentic imperial bicorne, including its distinctive proportions, a small tricolour cockade, and a silk‑taffeta lining, Parich said.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

The king arrived in Paris days later, Edelstein says, to declare his support of the revolution and don the tricolor cockade.

From Time • Jul. 13, 2016

Came a train whose engine bore the triple cockade of Wales, and whisked him Londonwards.

From Time Magazine Archive

At the end of two hours the girl was wearing a flaming red cap, the boy a cockade on his chest and they were still going like mad.

From Time Magazine Archive

He stood up and put on a shiny black hat with a silver cockade on it and saluted smartly.

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes