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  • union jack
    union jack
    noun
    a jack consisting of the union of a national flag or ensign, as the U.S. jack, which has the white stars and blue field of the union of the U.S. national flag.
  • Union Jack
    Union Jack
    noun
    a common name for Union flag
Synonyms

union jack

American  

noun

  1. a jack consisting of the union of a national flag or ensign, as the U.S. jack, which has the white stars and blue field of the union of the U.S. national flag.

  2. (often initial capital letter) the British national flag.

  3. any flag the overall design of which is a union.


Union Jack British  

noun

  1. a common name for Union flag

  2. (often not capitals) a national flag flown at the jackstaff of a vessel

"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

Etymology

Origin of union jack

First recorded in 1665–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Initially, 164 union jack flags will be displayed at a cost of about £457 per flag including brackets, traffic management and cherry pickers.

From BBC Oct. 24, 2025

More than 150 union jack flags will be displayed in 82 locations in Rushcliffe, Broxtowe, Bassetlaw, Newark, Mansfield, Ashfield and Gedling.

From BBC Oct. 24, 2025

As protesters gathered outside the hotel again on Friday evening with banners and union jack and England flags, feelings on the High Street were mixed.

From BBC Aug. 29, 2025

It gets to the heart of how many Britons' relationship with the union jack and the four nations' flags is complex.

From BBC Aug. 23, 2025

Stars and stripes are so-so—showy, perhaps; but my colours is the union jack, which I am told has the remarkable property of having braved a thousand years the battle and the breeze.

From The Letters of Charles Dickens Vol. 1, 1833-1856 by Hogarth, Georgina

More than 1,000 people -- many waving Union Jack and England flags -- attended Tuesday's protest.

From Barron's Jun. 3, 2026

Stormzy's vest, which was designed by Banksy and emblazoned with the Union Jack, is displayed near the end of the exhibition - illustrating how music can address issues of national identity, street crime, and prejudice.

From BBC Apr. 14, 2026

For a long time public television was the sole entry port for British shows, and it still waves that Union Jack.

From Los Angeles Times Dec. 29, 2025

The Union Jack waved in the night sky Thursday from one of the tallest heights of New York City.

From The Wall Street Journal Nov. 21, 2025

Hamilton insisted on flying the British Union Jack.

From "Hole in My Life" by Jack Gantos

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