Illustration of chevron
- 1 marine staff sergeant
- 2 air force staff sergeant
- 3 army staff sergeant
: 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)
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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
The dazzling get-up featured a chevron pattern of different metallic shades.
—
Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2024
The former is in a bold chevron print, paying homage to the OG Barbie doll in a black and white vintage swimsuit.
—Erin Lassner, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Sep. 2024
The preparation of 35 bows was next; they were shaped and ironed one by one before they were sewn at the specified points along the chevron pattern created by the ribbons.
—Romany Williams, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2024
Walz wore the chevrons and performed the duties of a command sergeant major and is entitled to refer to himself as such.
—Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for chevron 
Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2024
The former is in a bold chevron print, paying homage to the OG Barbie doll in a black and white vintage swimsuit.
—Erin Lassner, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Sep. 2024
The preparation of 35 bows was next; they were shaped and ironed one by one before they were sewn at the specified points along the chevron pattern created by the ribbons.
—Romany Williams, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2024
Walz wore the chevrons and performed the duties of a command sergeant major and is entitled to refer to himself as such.
—Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for chevron
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.
Dictionary Entries Near chevron
Cite this Entry
“Chevron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chevron. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
chevron
noun
chev·ron
ˈshev-rən 
1
: a figure resembling a V or an upside-down V
2
: a sleeve badge indicating rank (as in the armed forces)
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