Meanings
plural merit badges
- scoutingAn 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.
Synonyms: badge of merit
Synonyms & antonyms
nounAn 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.
Origin
Translations
Finnish ansiomerkki
- ansiomerkkiembroidered 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
- badge du mériteembroidered 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, förtjänstmärke
- utbildningsmärkeembroidered 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
- förtjänstmärkeembroidered 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
- scoutmärkeembroidered 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
Cite this entry
merit badge. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/merit%20badge
“merit badge.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/merit%20badge. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “merit badge,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/merit%20badge.
Source: merit badge on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.