flagship

[ flag-ship ]

noun

1. a ship carrying the flag officer or the commander of a fleet, squadron, or the like, and displaying the officer's flag.
2. the main vessel of a shipping company.
3. any of the best or largest ships or airplanes operated by a passenger line.
4. the best or most important one of a group or system:

   This store is the flagship of our retail chain.

adjective

1. being or constituting a flagship.

flagship

/ ˈflæɡˌʃɪp /

noun

1. a ship, esp in a fleet, aboard which the commander of the fleet is quartered
2. the most important ship belonging to a shipping company
3. a single item from a related group considered as the most important, often in establishing a public image

   the nine o'clock news is the flagship of the BBC

Word History and Origins

Origin of flagship¹

First recorded in 1665–75; flag ¹ + ship ¹

Example Sentences

Presenting such a flagship show could go to anyone's head, but Kielty said his children are quick to humble any thoughts of him potentially getting above his station.

From BBC

John Swinney has made the eradication of child poverty as his top priority, and as ever there is cash in the budget for the flagship Scottish Child Payment.

From BBC

A BBC investigation found the vast majority of councils raised concerns about the government's flagship plan to build 1.5 million new homes in England over the next five years in a recent consultation.

From BBC

The store is situated in a corner flagship location at Sunset Row, a new shopping destination with a unique collection of retail, restaurants and living spaces meant to be a cultural hub of the community.

From Los Angeles Times

This flagship initiative was launched in 2022 as a key pillar of the European Commission's efforts towards the Green Deal -- not without attracting criticism.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• bellwether
• crown jewel