Definition of 'emblem'

Word Frequency

emblem

(embləm )

Word forms: plural emblems

1. countable noun

An emblem is a design representing a country or organization.

...the emblem of the Soviet Union. [+ of]

...the Red Cross emblem.

Synonyms: crest, mark, design, image More Synonyms of emblem

2. countable noun

An emblem is something that represents a quality or idea.

The eagle was an emblem of strength and courage. [+ of]

Synonyms: representation, symbol, mark, sign More Synonyms of emblem

Video: pronunciation of 'emblem'

Word Frequency

emblem in British

(ˈɛmbləm )

noun

a visible object or representation that symbolizes a quality, type, group, etc, esp the concrete symbol of an abstract idea

the dove is an emblem of peace

an allegorical picture containing a moral lesson, often with an explanatory motto or verses, esp one printed in an emblem book

Derived forms

emblematic (ˌemblemˈatic) or emblematical (ˌemblemˈatical)

adjective

emblematically (ˌemblemˈatically)

adverb

Word origin of 'emblem'

C15: from Latin emblēma raised decoration, mosaic, from Greek, literally: something inserted, from emballein to insert, from ballein to throw

Word Frequency

emblem in American

(ˈɛmbləm ; emˈbləm)

noun

1. Obsolete

a picture with a motto or verses, allegorically suggesting some moral truth, etc.

a visible symbol of a thing, idea, class of people, etc.; object or representation that stands for or suggests something else

the cross is an emblem of Christianity

a sign, badge, or device

verb transitive

4. Rare

to emblematize

Word origin of 'emblem'

orig., inlaid work < L emblema < Gr emblēma, insertion < emballein < en-, in + ballein, to throw, put: see ball2

Example sentences containing 'emblem'

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These cars have become emblems of all our environmental crimes. Times, Sunday Times (2007)The rainforest has become an emblem of human despair. Times, Sunday Times (2007)The brothers have become emblems of the different systems. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The artefact in your hand becomes a visual emblem of what you hear. Times, Sunday Times (2010)Swans are a national emblem of this land. The Sun (2008)Maybe it should become our national emblem. Times, Sunday Times (2016)His designs have become iconic British emblems. Times, Sunday Times (2014)Can you imagine the population of any other country on earth not knowing which way is the correct way to hoist their national emblem? The Sun (2011)His emblem is a bear. Martin Manser COLLINS DICTIONARY OF SAINTS (2004)Named after the working class revolutionary government of that year, many of its designs feature emblems and symbols from the time. Times, Sunday Times (2010)Its embroidery featured a wealth of detail, including floral emblems of the Commonwealth countries. Times, Sunday Times (2013)Now the Government is acting to protect one of the country 's national emblems. Times, Sunday Times (2012)Instead of being a symbol of medical triumph, Herceptin has become an emblem of bureaucratic mess. Times, Sunday Times (2006)She has become an emblem of ourselves: what we would like to be, how we would like to be seen. Times, Sunday Times (2010)

Trends of 'emblem'

In Common Usage. emblem is one of the 10000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Translations for 'emblem'

British English: emblem NOUN

An emblem is a design representing a country or organization.

The company's emblem is in black and red.

American English: emblem
Brazilian Portuguese: emblema
Chinese: 徽章
European Spanish: emblema
French: emblème
German: Emblem
Italian: emblema
Japanese: 紋章
Korean: 상징
European Portuguese: emblema
Spanish: emblema

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Nearby words of 'emblem'

Related Terms of 'emblem'

emblem book

Source

Definition of emblem from the Collins English Dictionary

Active and passive

Active sentences In the following example, the verb is active. The postman delivers hundreds of letters every day. The subject of an active sentence is also the person or thing that carries out ...