-
Purple Heart
Purple Heartnouna medal awarded for wounds received in action against an enemy or as a direct result of an act of the enemy.
-
purple heart
purple heartnounany of several tropical American leguminous trees of the genus Peltogyne
Purple Heart
Americannoun
noun
-
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
noun
Etymology
Origin of Purple Heart
An Americanism dating back to 1930–35
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
Under the porthole, surfboard and ceiling strung with fish nets and lights, Cooke built an intricate inlay floor pattern from 17 different kinds of wood, including oak, purple heart, ebony, mahogany, acacia and Brazilian cherry.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 15, 2022
Its surface is lined with hot-pink construction paper, covered in blue and purple heart stickers.
From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day
![]()
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.