Purple Heart

noun

U.S. Armed Forces.

1. a medal awarded for wounds received in action against an enemy or as a direct result of an act of the enemy.

purple heart

¹

noun

1. any of several tropical American leguminous trees of the genus Peltogyne

2. the decorative purple heartwood of any of these trees

3. informal,  a heart-shaped purple tablet consisting mainly of amphetamine

Purple Heart

²

noun

1. a decoration awarded to members of the US Armed Forces for a wound incurred in action

Word History and Origins

Origin of purple heart¹

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

Related Words

• badge 
• ribbon