cockade

American  

[ko-keyd] / kɒˈkeɪd /

noun

1. a rosette, knot of ribbon, etc., usually worn on the hat as part of a uniform, as a badge of office, or the like.

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cockade British  

/ kɒˈkeɪd /

noun

1. a feather or ribbon worn on military headwear

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Other Word Forms

• cockaded adjective

Etymology

Origin of cockade

First recorded in 1650–60; cockade (also cockard ), from French cocarde “a knot of ribbons, cockade” (from its resemblance to a cock's crest), from Middle French cocquard “boastful, silly, cocky” (like the boastful behavior of a rooster), from coc “rooster, cock”; see cock ¹ + -arde -ard

Example Sentences

Made by Poupard, Napoleon's official hatmaker, the headpiece displays all the hallmark features of an authentic imperial bicorne, including its distinctive proportions, a small tricolour cockade, and a silk‑taffeta lining, Parich said.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

The king arrived in Paris days later, Edelstein says, to declare his support of the revolution and don the tricolor cockade.

From Time • Jul. 13, 2016

Immediately before the session an officer in full gray uniform and wearing an Imperial cockade marched into the Court and created a tremendous sensation.

From Time Magazine Archive

Having no hat within reach Mr. Maclean was nonplused until a fellow member hastily improvised a paper cockade out of a copy of the Times and clapped it on his head.

From Time Magazine Archive

I picked up the blue cockade again and turned it in my fingers, shuddering to think of what Jemma would do if she saw me mixing among Baltimore’s secessionists.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan