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View synonyms for blue ribbon

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


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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

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Example Sentences

As a cook, after college, I drank Pabst Blue Ribbon along with the rest of the team.

Establishing a blue-ribbon commission in the midst of scandal is a time-honored Washington tradition.

The family-owned company that revived Pabst Blue Ribbon has been given the go-ahead to purchase Hostess out of bankruptcy.

Passing the buck to a blue ribbon commission like Erskine-Bowles was tried and has failed.

No one can do it for them—not pollsters, not blue-ribbon commissions, not even elections.

Everybody wears blue ribbon here, but I don't, because I don't want to get tipsy anyhow.

My blue ribbon had long ago worn out, and with it my strict views on Temperance.

Mrs. Avory patted the small head, and smoothed out the blue ribbon that tied up the tuft of black curls.

It was a single silky curl, of a beautiful reddish gold, tied daintily with blue ribbon.

With Charlies toy drum strung round his neck on a narrow blue ribbon, he was distinctly mirth-inspiring.

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