blue chip

¹

noun

1. Chiefly Poker. a blue-colored chip of high value.
2. a common stock issued by a major company that has financial strength, stability against fluctuations, and a good record of dividend payments: regarded as a low-risk investment.
3. a secure and valuable item or property held in reserve:

   The airfield was a blue chip in the struggle for military supremacy.

blue-chip

²

[ bloo-chip ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or constituting a blue chip.
2. having outstanding or exemplary qualities within a specified category; leading:

   a group of blue-chip scientists; blue-chip stock.

blue chip

noun

1. a gambling chip with the highest value
2. finance
   1. a stock considered reliable with respect to both dividend income and capital value
   2. ( as modifier )

      a blue-chip company

3. modifier denoting something considered to be a valuable asset

Word History and Origins

Origin of blue chip¹

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05

Origin of blue chip²

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

These stocks are sometimes known as “blue chips,” which are supposed to be on the steadier and safer side of Wall Street.

From Seattle Times

But Ms. Barrada faced difficulty as she searched for a gallery to represent the estate: The blue chips weren’t compelled by it, and other galleries seemed hesitant.

From New York Times

Years ago, he paid $88 million for a Central Park West penthouse where he shopped for at least one of the four blue chip artworks at the center of the Sotheby’s case.

From New York Times

China's blue chip CSI300 index, however, had its first fall in four weeks.

From Reuters

The blue chip CSI 300 index last week rose 0.066% - barely in positive territory, but enough to make it three weeks in a row of gains, its best run since March.

From Reuters