colours
Britishplural noun
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the flag that indicates nationality
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military the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the colours
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a pair of silk flags borne by a military unit, esp British, comprising the Queen's Colour showing the unit's crest, and the Regimental Colour showing the crest and battle honours
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true nature or character (esp in the phrase show one's colours )
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a distinguishing badge or flag, as of an academic institution
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sport a badge or other symbol denoting membership of a team, esp at a school or college
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informal a distinguishing embroidered patch denoting membership of a motorcycle gang
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to refuse to admit defeat
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to declare openly one's opinions or allegiances
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Goodwin cites the Raising the Colours flag campaign last summer when flags flew from motorway bridges.
From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026
According to the French authorities, Thomas leads a "very radical" branch of the "Raise the Colours" movement, which was formed following a split after the French entry ban.
From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026
The main Raise the Colours account on X said on Saturday it had nothing to do with the operation led by Thomas.
From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026
The Wellermen were the originators of the sea shanty trend on TikTok, with their versions of Misty Mountain, Nancy Mulligan and Hoist the Colours racking up billions of views.
From BBC • Dec. 24, 2025
Colours of the First Battalion of 24th Regiment.
From Flags: Some Account of their History and Uses. by Macgeorge, Andrew
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
