ensign

[ en-sahyn; Military en-suhn ]

/ ˈɛn saɪn; Military ˈɛn sən /

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noun

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).

OTHER WORDS FOR ensign

1 pennant, streamer.

See synonyms for ensign on Thesaurus.com

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We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

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Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

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Origin of ensign

1325–75; Middle English ensigne<Old French enseigne<Latin insignia;see insignia

OTHER WORDS FROM ensign

en·sign·ship, en·sign·cy, noun

Words nearby ensign

enshrine, enshroud, ensiform, ensiform cartilage, ensiform process, ensign, ensign staff, ensilage, ensile, -ensis, ensky

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

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 Post
Hello, 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|DAILY BEAST
South Gov. Mark Sanford, Sen. John Ensign, Rep. Anthony Weiner—all did their pressers of shame without their better halves.
Why Gloria Cain Is Silent|Michelle Cottle|November 4, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Ensign resigned from the Senate the day before he was going to testify under oath about the scandal.
Don’t Lionize Coburn Yet|Katherine Spillar|August 6, 2011|DAILY BEAST

ALLEGED OFFENDERS: John Edwards, John Ensign, James McGreevey.
Eight Secrets to Avoiding a Sex Scandal|David A. Graham|May 27, 2011|DAILY BEAST
ALLEGED OFFENDERS: Bill Clinton, former Sen. John Ensign, California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Sen. Larry Craig.
Eight Secrets to Avoiding a Sex Scandal|David A. Graham|May 27, 2011|DAILY BEAST
A golden eagle, the armorial ensign of the Ripperda family, crested the centre arch.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
He took part in a number of campaigns and received his first commission, that of Ensign, in 1890.
A Brief History of the U. S. S. Imperator, one of the two Largest Ships in the U. S. Navy.|Anonymous
The Hope lay safely moored, with her ensign at the peak, and flying the distinguished flag of the firm.
Skipper Worse|Alexander Lange Kielland
The 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

ensign

/ (ˈɛnsaɪn) /

noun

(also ˈɛnsən) a flag flown by a ship, branch of the armed forces, etc, to indicate nationality, allegiance, etcSee 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

Derived forms of ensign

ensignship or ensigncy, noun

Word Origin for ensign

C14: from Old French enseigne, from Latin insignia

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

ensign

OTHER WORDS FOR ensign

Origin of ensign

OTHER WORDS FROM ensign

Words nearby ensign

Words related to ensign

How to use ensign in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ensign

Derived forms of ensign

Word Origin for ensign