Phrase guide

merit badge

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • General-American, Received-Pronunciation: /ˈmɛɹɪt ˌbæd͡ʒ/
  • General-American, Received-Pronunciation: /-ɹət-/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

An embroidered cloth patch awarded to a youth member of the Boy Scouts of America or other scouting organization who successfully completes an activity within an area of study (the badge bearing an image representing the activity), which is either sewn on to the sleeve of the scout's uniform or a sash worn with the uniform; hence, the award itself.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: scouting

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: badge of merit

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a badge award to Boy Scouts in recognition of special projects

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: badge

History

Etymology

From merit + badge.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: ansiomerkki — embroidered cloth patch awarded to a youth member of the Boy Scouts of America or other scouting organization who successfully completes an activity; the award itself
  • French: badge du mérite — embroidered cloth patch awarded to a youth member of the Boy Scouts of America or other scouting organization who successfully completes an activity; the award itself
  • Swedish: utbildningsmärke — embroidered cloth patch awarded to a youth member of the Boy Scouts of America or other scouting organization who successfully completes an activity; the award itself
  • Swedish: förtjänstmärke — embroidered cloth patch awarded to a youth member of the Boy Scouts of America or other scouting organization who successfully completes an activity; the award itself
  • Swedish: scoutmärke — embroidered cloth patch awarded to a youth member of the Boy Scouts of America or other scouting organization who successfully completes an activity; the award itself