O.B.E.

American  

abbreviation

1. Officer (of the Order) of the British Empire.

2. Order of the British Empire.

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OBE British  

abbreviation

1. Officer of the Order of the British Empire (a Brit title)

2. out-of-body experience

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Example Sentences

People routinely reject the O.B.E. and similar honors when they are first offered, including the higher honors of knighthoods and damehoods, which allow people to use the title Sir or Dame.

From New York Times • Jan. 27, 2023

“I got an O.B.E. It’s Officer of the British Empire, but I’ve always known it as a British sweetheart, treasured. “

From New York Times • Oct. 4, 2017

In the bathroom at the back of the studio, there’s a stash of awards, including an O.B.E. from the Queen.

From The New Yorker • Mar. 28, 2016

They quietly withdrew his O.B.E. in 1948, but for years did not name him as the leader of the Communists.

From Time Magazine Archive

To come down to breakfast knowing that on this morning anyhow there is no chance of an O.B.E. takes the edge off one’s appetite.

From If I May by Milne, A. A. (Alan Alexander)