noun

livery

LIV-ur-ee/ˈlɪvəri/

A distinctive outward appearance showing affiliation with an organization.

The drivers' matching livery identifies them with the same transport service.

Several drivers stand beside matching company vehicles wearing identical distinctive uniforms that clearly identify them as belonging to the same service.

Etymology

liveryAnglo-Frenchallowance, ration, pay

An allowance supplied to household servants could include clothing. The word narrowed to distinctive clothing given to servants, providing the identifying-uniform sense behind today's household or company livery.

In context

English Heritage speaker4:48

uniforms for staff apart from those that appeared in front of guests: housemaids, butlers and livery for the footmen.

The Real Mrs Crocombe | Part Four: A Victorian Cook's Outfit

YaleCourses speaker34:58

livery, like a military uniform. It looked like aristocracy

1. Finance and Insurance as Powerful Forces in Our Economy and Society

More examples

The buses display the transit agency's new livery.
A doorman in the hotel's livery greets arriving guests.
The racing teams unveil their liveries before the season begins.

Forms

livery · liveries

Similar words

uniform: Specifically clothing worn by members, not markings on vehicles.
colors: Identifying hues, rather than the complete design or outfit.