1. A horizontal band across the middle of a heraldic shield.
Usage: heraldry; also spelled 'fess'

Examples

• The coat of arms displayed a gold fesse across a blue field.
• In heraldry, a fesse is one of the most common charges used in shield design.
• The family's shield featured a red fesse dividing the upper and lower portions.
• Medieval heralds used the fesse to represent honor and nobility.