emblazon

[ em-bley-zuhn ]

verb (used with object)

1. to put a design on (a surface) in a prominent place:

   The shirt was emblazoned with the company's motto.

2. Heraldry. to put (a design or depiction) on a coat of arms.
3. to proclaim; celebrate or extol.

emblazon

/ ɪmˈbleɪzən /

verb

1. to describe, portray, or colour (arms) according to the conventions of heraldry
2. to portray heraldic arms on (a shield, one's notepaper, etc)
3. to make bright or splendid, as with colours, flowers, etc
4. to glorify, praise, or extol, often so as to attract great publicity

   his feat was emblazoned on the front page

Derived Forms

• emˈblazonment, noun

Other Words From

• em·bla·zon·er noun
• un·em·bla·zoned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of emblazon¹

First recorded in 1585–95; em- ¹ + blazon

Example Sentences

When Emily Davison stepped out in front of the King's horse at the Epsom Derby in June 1913, it is thought she meant to emblazon the horse with a suffragette banner in order to make a statement and, undoubtedly, the next day's front page.

From BBC

Members of the Russian army emblazon their tanks and trucks with the letter Z to differentiate themselves from Ukrainians in the field.

From Seattle Times

Snyder’s private jets were leased to the team, and Snyder charged the team $4.5 million to emblazon them with the team’s logo as an “advertising fee,” the co-owners wrote in the petition.

From Washington Times

He didn’t emblazon his body with tattoos of revolutionary personalities Che Guevara and Fidel Castro like a great footballer who came after him, the Argentine, Diego Maradona.

From Washington Post

Ads for sports-betting apps blanket the airwaves and emblazon the walls of stadiums and arenas, some of which let fans place bets at in-person kiosks.

From New York Times

Related Words

• decorate
• embellish
• paint