blue riband or blue ribbandn1. (Nautical Terms) (sometimes capitals) Also called (esp US): blue ribbon the record for the fastest sea journey between two places, esp (in the 1920s and 30s) for a passenger liner between New York and Southampton2. a. the most distinguished achievement in any fieldb. (as modifier): the blue-riband event of the meeting. Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014