blue riband

British  

noun

1. Also called (esp US): blue ribbon.  (sometimes capitals) the record for the fastest sea journey between two places, esp (in the 1920s and 30s) for a passenger liner between New York and Southampton

2. 1. the most distinguished achievement in any field

   2. ( as modifier )

      the blue-riband event of the meeting

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Example Sentences

And she had achieved it in the Games' blue riband event, running the race of her life to beat world champion Sha'Carri Richardson in a national record time of 10.72 seconds.

From BBC • Dec. 23, 2024

It could have gone the other way, though, because it is mentally tough, especially coming from a blue riband Olympic sport, the 100m, to being called a spare.

From BBC • Oct. 27, 2021

We’ll keep you across the new sports as well as the blue riband events.

From The Guardian • Jul. 23, 2021

Having had just two fights in boxing’s blue riband division since stepping up, there remains lingering questions about the Ukrainian’s punch resistance and his ability to trouble the top heavyweights with his power.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 20, 2021

There at the parlour window stands my dear little Agnes, in a white frock, in a great cap with a blue riband and bow, and curls clustering over her face.

From A Book of English Prose Part II, Arranged for Secondary and High Schools by Lubbock, Percy