any of several tropical American leguminous trees of the genus Peltogyne
the decorative purple heartwood of any of these trees
informal a heart-shaped purple tablet consisting mainly of amphetamine
An Americanism dating back to 1930–35
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Army combat veteran and a Purple Heart recipient.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026
After a grenade almost killed him in Normandy, he earned a Purple Heart and then sang in the jazz clubs of Paris.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 5, 2026
A company called Purple Heart reportedly acted an an intermediary in the transfer.
From Barron's ● Nov. 24, 2025
Several veterans groups separately filed a brief supporting the order: The Vietnam Veterans of America California State Council and four VVA chapters, the Amvets Department of California and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 28, 2025
Man, I think if we make it out of here we deserve a Medal of Honor or a Purple Heart.
From "Our America: Life and Death on the South Side of Chicago" by LeAlan Jones
Carlysia remembered Ryan by posting a photo of her aunt accompanied by purple heart and dove emojis to her Instagram story.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 24, 2024
He was awarded the purple heart and is buried in the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer in Normandy.
From BBC ● Jun. 1, 2024
Four were red and the fifth had a small purple heart bordered by silver varnish.
From Reuters ● Feb. 22, 2023
Lynch also has welcomed a group of decorated veterans, including five purple heart recipients, when the 49ers played in Washington.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 12, 2021
The big purple heart with pink lace all over it.
From "P.S. I Miss You" by Jen Petro-Roy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
