blue ribbon

English

Alternative forms

  • blue-ribbon (attributive use)

Etymology

Perhaps a calque translation of Middle French cordon bleu (“blue ribbon”) worn by knights of the highest order of chivalry or after Blue Riband, a sailing award.

Noun

blue ribbon (plural blue ribbons)

  1. The highest honor or prize awarded in some competitions and contests.
    Mom's strawberry jam won the blue ribbon at the Holland County Fair three years running.
    • Farrar
      These [scholarships] were the blue ribbon of the college.
  2. A badge worn or displayed to advocate freedom from online censorship.
    The icon of the blue ribbon on her site should not be taken to mean she opposes parental filtration programs.

Adjective

blue ribbon (not comparable)

  1. Very superior in quality, style, or substance.
    The governor selected a cadre of blue ribbon social scientists to serve on her poverty task force.

See also

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