coat of arms

noun phrase

Synonyms of coat of armsnext
1
: a tabard or surcoat embroidered with armorial bearings
2
a
: heraldic bearings (as of a person) usually depicted on an escutcheon often with accompanying adjuncts (such as a crest, motto, and supporters)
b
: a similar symbolic emblem

Examples of coat of arms in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The coat of arms and other decorations are the focus of the restoration. — ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026 The food is much better on papal flights with special menus printed with the pope’s coat of arms, which also adorn the head rests. — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 13 June 2026 Beyond the color blocking, the new Air Jordan 4 is said to feature details inspired by the bear pictured on Berlin’s coat of arms. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 16 May 2026 Soon, Johor was the world’s top gambier supplier and a major source of pepper—a legacy commemorated in the sultan’s coat of arms, which features both crops. — Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for coat of arms

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cote of armes, translation of Middle French cote d'armes

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Rhymes for coat of arms

See All Rhymes for coat of arms

Browse Nearby Words

coat money
coat of arms
coat of mail
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Coat of arms.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coat%20of%20arms. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

coat of arms

: the heraldic arms belonging to a person, family, or group or a representation of these (as on a shield)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All