chevron

noun

chev·​ron ˈshev-rən How to pronounce chevron (audio)
: a figure, pattern, or object having the shape of a V or an inverted V: such as
a
: a heraldic charge consisting of two diagonal stripes meeting at an angle usually with the point up
b
: a sleeve badge that usually consists of one or more chevron-shaped stripes that indicates the wearer's rank and service (as in the armed forces)

Illustration of chevron

Illustration of chevron
  • 1 marine staff sergeant
  • 2 air force staff sergeant
  • 3 army staff sergeant

Did you know?

First appearing in English in the 14th century, chevron derives via Middle English and Anglo-French from the Vulgar Latin word caprio, meaning "rafter (probably due to its resemblance to two adjoining roof beams)." It is also related to the Latin noun caper, meaning "goat," again likely based on the resemblance of a V-shape to a goat’s horns. "Caper" is also an ancestor of "Capricorn," the tenth sign of the zodiac, represented by a goat. The resemblance of "chevron" to "chèvre," the French word for "goat" and our word for a kind of cheese that comes from goat’s milk, is no coincidence, as that word derives from "caper" as well.

Examples of chevron in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But chevrons and comets are both polyiamonds (unions of equilateral triangles) built on top of regular triangular tilings at different scales. Craig S. Kaplan, Scientific American, 14 Dec. 2023 In 2016, scientists using muon imaging picked up signals indicating a hidden corridor behind the famous chevron blocks on the north face of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 17 June 2023 Returning to the Golden Globes as a three-time nominee, the actress, 32, donned a baby pink Chantilly lace and silk tulle Chanel gown with a chevron bodice, inspired by the label's Fall/Winter 2022 Haute Couture collection. Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 10 Jan. 2023 The dome, which had been only a tiny dot from far away, now was a massive tiled rotunda with blue and yellow chevrons sitting atop the roof. Nicholas Casey, New York Times, 15 Dec. 2023 Between Jenner’s Balenciaga and Nina Dobrev’s grayscale Perfect Moments coat, chevrons also had a moment this holiday season. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 3 Jan. 2024 The meatball—a sphere of stars, a red chevron, and a comet orbiting the agency’s acronym—came first, in 1959, and was attached to spacesuits and capsules. Robert Sullivan, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2023 The pop star wore a scant, sheer maxi dress with a beaded fringe in a chevron pattern adding some movement. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 29 Nov. 2023 This oak nightstand with an inlaid chevron pattern has three spacious drawers and is 31.5 inches tall. Alyssa Gautieri, Good Housekeeping, 17 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chevron.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cheveron, from Anglo-French, rafter, chevron, from Vulgar Latin *caprion-, *caprio rafter; akin to Latin caper goat

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chevron was in the 14th century

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Dictionary Entries Near chevron

Cite this Entry

“Chevron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chevron. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

chevron

noun
chev·​ron ˈshev-rən How to pronounce chevron (audio)
1
: a figure resembling a V or an upside-down V
2
: a sleeve badge indicating rank (as in the armed forces)

More from Merriam-Webster on chevron

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