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

Noun Inflected Forms

• cordons bleus
  plural

Etymology

Origin of cordon bleu

1720–30; < French: literally, blue ribbon

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cordon bleu

“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

But here's the thing — if chicken cordon bleu as-is is close to heavenly, chicken cordon bleu pasta is truly divine.

From Salon ● Oct. 21, 2021

Mrs. Lesengeld blushed, and after the fashion of a cordon bleu the world over, she began to decry her own handiwork.

From Elkan Lubliner, American by Glass, Montague