Stars and Bars

American  

noun

1. U.S. History. the flag adopted by the Confederate States of America, consisting of two broad horizontal bars of red separated by one of white, with a blue union marked with a circle of white stars, one for each Confederate state.

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Stars and Bars British  

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the flag of the Confederate States of America

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Etymology

Origin of Stars and Bars

An Americanism dating back to 1861

Example Sentences

The Stars and Bars represent the darkest period in American history - slavery.

From Washington Times • Nov. 18, 2015

That argument got turned on its head overnight, and not long after, in a moment many thought they’d never see, the Stars and Bars was pulled down from the South Carolina capitol grounds.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 6, 2015

“They hide behind the first national flag,” said Mr. Jennings, referring to the so-called Stars and Bars, adopted in March 1861 by the Confederate government, and loosely patterned on the Stars and Stripes.

From New York Times • Jul. 6, 2015

Even as state officials lowered the U.S. flag and the state’s palmetto flag atop the capitol dome to half-staff in honor of the victims, the Stars and Bars remained at full height.

From Washington Post • Jun. 22, 2015

The first Confederate flag, the Stars and Bars, was adopted on March 4, 1861.

From "Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever" by Bill O'Reilly