pennon

American  

[pen-uhn] / ˈpɛn ən /

noun

1. a distinctive flag in any of various forms, as tapering, triangular, or swallow-tailed, formerly one borne on the lance of a knight.

2. a pennant.

3. any flag or banner.

4. a wing or pinion.

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pennon British  

/ ˈpɛnən /

noun

1. a long flag, often tapering and rounded, divided, or pointed at the end, originally a knight's personal flag

2. a small tapering or triangular flag borne on a ship or boat

3. a poetic word for wing

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Other Word Forms

• pennoned
  adjective
• unpennoned
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of pennon

1325–75; Middle English penon < Middle French, augmentative of Old French pene < Latin penna or pinna feather. See pen ¹

Example Sentences

The Pennon Group, which owns the utility, said the parasite outbreak contributed to a nearly £40m bill for the company.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

Thames is the first to have done so, while six others have said they will not appeal: Severn Trent, United Utilities, Pennon plus Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, SES and Hafren.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2025

Water utilities Severn Trent and Pennon, and Holiday Inn owner IHG are three of the companies with women in chair roles.

From Reuters • Feb. 22, 2022

Still, the news has also sent other water groups higher, with United Utilities up 30p to 769.5p and Pennon 21.5p better to 687p.

From The Guardian • May 14, 2013

Pennon, pen′on, n. a flag, a medieval knight-bachelor's ensign: a long narrow flag: a pinion or wing.—ns.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various