cordon bleu

American  

[kawr-dawn blœ] / kɔr dɔ̃ ˈblœ /

noun

cordons bleus plural

1. the sky-blue ribbon worn as a badge by knights of the highest order of French knighthood under the Bourbons.

2. some similar high distinction.

3. one entitled to wear the cordon bleu.

4. any person of great distinction in a specific field, especially a distinguished chef.

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adjective

1. (of a dish made with thin slices of veal, chicken, etc.) interlaid or stuffed with ham and cheese and then sautéed.

   chicken cordon bleu.

cordon bleu British  

/ kɔrdɔ̃ blø /

noun

1. French history

   1. the sky-blue ribbon worn by members of the highest order of knighthood under the Bourbon monarchy

   2. a knight entitled to wear the cordon bleu

2. any very high distinction

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adjective

1. of or denoting food prepared to a very high standard

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• cordons bleus
  plural

Etymology

Origin of cordon bleu

1720–30; < French: literally, blue ribbon

Example Sentences

“Beef bourguignon with crème fraîche . . . Or look at chicken cordon bleu and chicken Kyiv.”

From Washington Post • Apr. 27, 2023

Last year, the agency declared salmonella an adulterant in one type of poultry: frozen, breaded products such as chicken cordon bleu that are raw, but might be mistaken for cooked.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 24, 2023

I don’t know why, when I think of a fancy dish, only chicken cordon bleu comes to mind?

From New York Times • May 10, 2022

When I was a kid, chicken cordon bleu was one of those meals that always felt incredibly fancy.

From Salon • Oct. 21, 2021

The cordon bleu and the cordon rouge are in the like position, and abbeys are still more constantly subject to the r�gime of influence.

From The Ancient Regime by Durand, John