chevron

American  

[shev-ruhn, shev-ron] / ˈʃɛv rən, ˈʃɛvˌrɒn /

noun

1. a badge consisting of stripes meeting at an angle, worn on the sleeve by noncommissioned officers, police officers, etc., as an indication of rank, service, or the like.

2. an ornament in this form, as on a molding.

3. Also called chevron weave.  herringbone.

4. Heraldry. an ordinary in the form of an inverted V .

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chevron British  

/ ˈʃɛvrən /

noun

1. military a badge or insignia consisting of one or more V-shaped stripes to indicate a noncommissioned rank or length of service

2. heraldry an inverted V-shaped charge on a shield, one of the earliest ordinaries found in English arms

3. (usually plural) a pattern of horizontal black and white V-shapes on a road sign indicating a sharp bend

4. any V-shaped pattern or device

5. Also called: dancette.  an ornamental moulding having a zigzag pattern

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Other Word Forms

• chevroned adjective
• unchevroned adjective

Etymology

Origin of chevron

1300–50; Middle English cheveroun < Old French: rafter, chevron < Vulgar Latin *capriōn- (stem of *capriō ), derivative of Latin caper goat

Explanation

A chevron is a simple V-shaped design that may be upright, inverted, or on its side. Chevrons are part of some military and police uniforms or badges and often indicate rank. A chevron is a classic design element used in architecture, coats of arms, flags, and other insignia. This simple geometric shape appears on ancient pottery, petroglyphs, and textiles from ancient Greece and Rome. The chevron's clean, bold shape is a popular, eye-catching element of modern fashions as well, from suits to flooring and other home decor. More practically, chevrons on road signs can alert drivers to sharp and potentially dangerous curves ahead.

Example Sentences

The non-invasive technique detected an empty space behind the northern face of the Great Pyramid, about 7m above the main entrance, in an area where there is a stone chevron structure.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2023

The house has curved bay windows, tall windows, oak chevron floors and a slate roof.

From Washington Post • Feb. 3, 2023

So far, there’s no runaway winner that just might earn icon status like the sold-out-in-minutes bright green and chevron jersey of Nigeria during the last tournament in 2018.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 28, 2022

Bengston’s signature symbol was a chevron — or sergeant’s stripe insignia.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 10, 2022

Most peculiar of all, the bound knight’s shield carried the three thistles and the chevron, with a red canton.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White