noun

Purple Heart

PUR-pul HART

Purple Heart (noun) means a United States military decoration awarded to any member of the armed forces who is wounded or killed as a result of enemy action. Example: “He was awarded the Purple Heart after being wounded in Fallujah.”

noun

A United States military decoration awarded to any member of the armed forces who is wounded or killed as a result of enemy action.

"He was awarded the Purple Heart after being wounded in Fallujah."

"Three Purple Hearts hung in a frame above the fireplace."

informal A person who has received this decoration.

"The parade was led by a group of Purple Hearts from the local veterans' post."

dated slang A heart-shaped tablet of a mixed amphetamine and barbiturate drug, widely used recreationally in Britain in the 1960s.

"Mods swallowed purple hearts to stay awake through the weekend."

How to Use Purple Heart

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn American medal given to soldiers who are wounded or killed in combat.

When to use it

Always capitalised in the military sense.

Memory tip

Say a soldier was "awarded" or "received" a Purple Heart, not that they "won" one.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

Medal of Honor Bronze Star purple heart (the tablet)

Common pairings

awarded the Purple Heart Purple Heart recipient Purple Heart veteran

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He was awarded the _____ after being wounded in Fallujah.

Etymology

Named for the purple heart-shaped badge of merit instituted by George Washington during the American Revolutionary War, revived as the modern decoration in 1932.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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combat decoration military medal

Rhymes for Purple Heart

heart lionheart sweetheart braveheart

See all rhymes for Purple Heart →

Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies for a Purple Heart?

Any member of the US armed forces wounded or killed by enemy action, including deaths in captivity and injuries from terrorist attacks on US forces. It is awarded on the fact of the wound rather than for bravery, which is why it is described as earned rather than won.

Is the Purple Heart the highest US military honour?

No. The Medal of Honor is the highest US military decoration. The Purple Heart is unusual in that it recognises injury rather than valour, so its criteria are objective rather than judged.

Should Purple Heart be capitalised?

Yes, as the name of a specific decoration. The drug sense is lower case: purple hearts.