blue ribbon

¹

[ bloo rib-uhn ]

noun

1. the highest award or distinction, as the first prize in a contest:

   His entry at the state fair won a blue ribbon.

2. a blue ribbon worn as a badge of honor, especially by members of the Order of the Garter of the British knighthood.
3. (initial capital letters) Also British, Blue Ribband. (formerly) a prize awarded to an ocean liner making the fastest recorded trip across the Atlantic Ocean between Ambrose Lightship and Bishop Rock.
4. a badge used by some temperance organizations to indicate a pledge of abstinence from alcohol.

blue-ribbon

²

[ bloo-rib-uhn ]

adjective

1. of superior quality or prominence; first-rate; specially selected:

   a blue-ribbon committee of fund-raisers.

blue ribbon

noun

1. (in Britain) a badge of blue silk worn by members of the Order of the Garter
2. a badge awarded as the first prize in a competition
3. a badge worn by a member of a temperance society

Word History and Origins

Origin of blue ribbon¹

First recorded in 1645–55

Origin of blue ribbon²

First recorded in 1925–30; adj. use of blue ribbon

Example Sentences

"I went to the L.A. County Fair, and I won that blue ribbon," she remembers.

From Salon

So Joe Biden commissioned a blue ribbon panel, and he stuffed the result in a drawer back when Democrats had a trifecta in Washington and might have been able to do something about this.

From Salon

When Sandra Lee won a blue ribbon at the Los Angeles County Fair, her sister called to tell her the good news.

From Los Angeles Times

The Mirror swirled, blue ribbons fighting with green smoke as both tried to push toward the front.

From Literature

Everyone clapped and cheered as Mrs. Brisbane handed Sayeh a blue ribbon.

From Literature