chevron

/ˈʃevrən/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈʃevrən/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈshev-rən/ (ame, mw)

chevron — noun

  • chevronsingular
  • chevronsplural

1. a mark or design shaped like the letter V or an upside-down V — for example, a s

1.名詞C1
釋義

a mark or design shaped like the letter V or an upside-down V — for example, a stripe sewn onto a military jacket near the shoulder as a sign of rank, or a bold yellow symbol painted on a road sign to warn drivers about a sharp turn ahead.

例句

Sergeant Hamza had three gold chevrons sewn onto each sleeve of his uniform.

shows rank on a military or police uniform

Yellow chevrons painted on the road warned drivers about the sharp bend ahead.

road sign indicating a sharp bend

同義詞
  • stripe

    general term for a band; doesn't capture the V shape

  • V-shape

    plain descriptive term; lacks the formal or military connotation

文法句型

a chevron of [material/shape]

用法筆記

Often appears in the plural when describing repeated patterns or multiple rank stripes. The pointed end may face up or down depending on the context.

常見錯誤

❌The road sign showed a chevron, so I drove faster.
✅The road sign showed a chevron, so I slowed down for the sharp bend.
💡chevrons on roads warn drivers to reduce speed, not increase it.

2. in the design of family shields and coats of arms, a wide V-shape that points up

2.名詞C2
釋義

in the design of family shields and coats of arms, a wide V-shape that points upward, often used as the main symbol on the shield.

例句

The family shield showed a silver chevron above three small golden lions.

main symbol on a heraldic shield

Ada explained that a chevron on a coat of arms once stood for protection and faithful service.

symbolic meaning in heraldry

同義詞
  • charge

    general heraldry term for any symbol on a shield; chevron is one specific type

文法句型

a chevron on a [shield/coat of arms]

用法筆記

Restricted to the technical vocabulary of heraldry; distinct from sense 1 because it always points upward and is part of a formal shield design rather than a uniform stripe or road marking.