ensign
a flag or banner, as a military or naval standard used to indicate nationality.
a badge of office or authority, as heraldic arms.
a sign, token, or emblem: the dove, an ensign of peace.
U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. the lowest commissioned officer, ranking next below a lieutenant, junior grade, and equal to a second lieutenant in the Army.
Archaic. standard-bearer (def. 1).
Origin of ensign
1Other words for ensign
Other words from ensign
- en·sign·ship, en·sign·cy, noun
Words Nearby ensign
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use ensign in a sentence
As a result, throughout the nation men returned to campuses, and universities and colleges began to grind out ensigns and lieutenants in the thousands.
This isn’t the first time Army played Navy in a moment of crisis | Randy Roberts | December 11, 2020 | Washington PostHello, Sen. David Vitter, John ensign, Larry Craig, and so on.
Marianne Gingrich Interview Casts Doubts on Newt’s New Image | Margaret Carlson | January 20, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTSouth Gov. Mark Sanford, Sen. John ensign, Rep. Anthony Weiner—all did their pressers of shame without their better halves.
ensign resigned from the Senate the day before he was going to testify under oath about the scandal.
ALLEGED OFFENDERS: John Edwards, John ensign, James McGreevey.
ALLEGED OFFENDERS: Bill Clinton, former Sen. John ensign, California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Sen. Larry Craig.
A golden eagle, the armorial ensign of the Ripperda family, crested the centre arch.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterHe took part in a number of campaigns and received his first commission, that of ensign, in 1890.
The Hope lay safely moored, with her ensign at the peak, and flying the distinguished flag of the firm.
Skipper Worse | Alexander Lange KiellandThe flag of the club is the blue ensign of Her Majesty's fleet, with a gold crown and Maltese cross.
Yachting Vol. 2 | Various.Our vessels paid him the more modest compliment of one royal salute, and hoisting the French imperial ensign.
The British Expedition to the Crimea | William Howard Russell
British Dictionary definitions for ensign
/ (ˈɛnsaɪn) /
(also ˈɛnsən) a flag flown by a ship, branch of the armed forces, etc, to indicate nationality, allegiance, etc: See also Red Ensign, White Ensign
any flag, standard, or banner
a standard-bearer
a symbol, token, or emblem; sign
(in the US Navy) a commissioned officer of the lowest rank
(in the British infantry) a colours bearer
(formerly in the British infantry) a commissioned officer of the lowest rank
Origin of ensign
1Derived forms of ensign
- ensignship or ensigncy, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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