1. A V-shaped symbol, especially a badge: A chevron, or insignia, consists of stripes meeting at an angle and worn on the sleeve of a military or police uniform to indicate rank, merit, or length of service.
2. A heraldic ornament: A chevron is an emblem of blazonry depicted on a shield with the form of a wide inverted V-shape.
3. Etymology: from Old French chevron, "rafter"; since it looks like rafters of a shallow roof, from Vulgar Latin caprione, from Latin caper, "goat"; the likely connection between goats and rafters (from the meeting of rafters at an angle) is believed to be the resemblance to the animal's angular hind legs.