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

• 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

Few miles away, on the Army's Patterson Field, another Lockheed, with the red-white-&-blue cockade of the R.A.F. on her camouflaged sides, ground-looped on a take-off and burned as her pilots skipped out of danger.

From Time Magazine Archive

Immediately before the session an officer in full gray uniform and wearing an Imperial cockade marched into the Court and created a tremendous sensation.

From Time Magazine Archive

It fit me perfectly, sullied only by the despicable blue cockade I pinned to my breast.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan